India’s historic T20 World Cup triumph has sparked a political debate after Trinamool Congress MP and former 1983 World Cup-winning cricketer Kirti Azad questioned the decision to take the trophy to a temple following the victory.
After India secured a dominant 96-run win over New Zealand in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, captain Suryakumar Yadav, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah visited a Hanuman temple near the stadium to seek blessings and carried the trophy along.
India’s victory marked a historic triple achievement: their third T20 World Cup title, becoming the first team to successfully defend the trophy, and winning it on home soil.
However, Azad raised concerns over the move, stating that sports and sportspersons should remain above religion or caste.
“140 crore people were excited when Team India, which includes people from all religions, won. A sportsperson or sports does not belong to any religion or caste but only to the sport. As a sportsperson, I say Team India made India victorious. Team India won, and this is a matter of pride for the people of India,” Azad said while speaking to the media.
Earlier, Azad had also posted a strongly worded message on social media platform X questioning the decision.
“”SHAME ON TEAM INDIA! When we won the World Cup under Kapil Dev in 1983, we had Hindu Muslim Sikh and Christian in the team. We brought the trophy to our religious birth place our motherland India Bharat Hindustan Why The Hell Is The Indian Cricket Trophy is being Dragged. Why NOT a Mosque? Why NOT a Church? Why NOT a Gurudwara? This team represents INDIA — not Surya Kumar Yadav’s or Jay Shah’s family! Siraj never paraded it at a mosque. Sanju never took it to a church. The latter had a major part to play and was man of the tournament. The trophy belongs to 1.4 BILLION Indians of EVERY Faith — NOT ONE RELIGION’S VICTORY LAP! #T20WorldCup2026final #IndiaVsNewZealand #TeamIndia” he wrote.
SHAME ON TEAM INDIA!
When we won the World Cup under Kapil Dev in 1983, we had Hindu Muslim Sikh and Christian in the team.
We brought the trophy to our religious birth place our motherland India Bharat Hindustan
Why The Hell Is The Indian Cricket Trophy is being Dragged.…
— Kirti Azad (@KirtiAzaad) March 9, 2026
Opposition leaders express support
Several opposition leaders on Tuesday expressed support for Azad, saying that sports at the national level should remain inclusive and respectful of all faiths.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Mahua Maji emphasised the importance of being sensitive to religious sentiments.
“In our country, politics over religion is often seen during elections and even in sports. When people of all castes and religions are involved — whether as players or spectators — it becomes very important to ensure that no one’s sentiments are hurt,” she said.
Congress MLA and former national hockey captain Pargat Singh also said sports should remain free from religious divisions.
“There is no need to differentiate in sports. For us, every religion is the same. I don’t know the full background, but if anything, it could be taken to temples, mosques, gurdwaras and churches. It is better if we keep religion and sports separate,” he said.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma said Azad was entitled to his opinion but cautioned against politicising sporting achievements.
“Kirti Azad may have his own stand, as he has been a great cricketer and an MP. But we should not bring politics into sports. Our players have done exceptionally well and won the T20 World Cup for the third time. They should be congratulated for this. If they want to take the trophy to a temple or a mosque, it is their personal decision,” Verma said.