Upon his triumphant return to Patna following India's T20 World Cup 2026 title glory, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan did not hold back when asked about the recent controversial comments made by 1983 World Cup winner Kirti Azad. The national team arrived home to a hero's welcome following their dominant 96-run victory over New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2026 final, held on March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. However, the celebratory atmosphere was partially overshadowed by the veteran cricketer’s public critique of the team's post-match activities.
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Ishan Kishan reacts to Kirit Azad's controversial remark on Hanuman Temple visit
The friction stems from a visit to the Motera Hanuman Temple, located near the stadium in Ahmedabad. Following the trophy presentation, Captain Suryakumar Yadav, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and ICC Chairman Jay Shah took the World Cup trophy to the temple to offer prayers. While many fans viewed this as a gesture of gratitude, Azad, a former cricketer turned Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament, took to social media to question team's visit to Hanuman Temple.
"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. 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!," Azad's X post read.
Azad’s post sparked a heated debate online, as he questioned whether players of different faiths within the squad would be afforded the same opportunity or if the gesture was appropriate for a diverse national team. While the social media landscape remains divided over his remarks, Kishan’s sharp rebuttal highlights a growing tension between the legendary 1983 generation and the current T20 World Champions.
When questioned about the veteran cricketer's remarks, Kishan didn't hide his frustration, visibly losing his cool with the reporter. The star wicketkeeper-batter was left furious by the line of questioning, seemingly unwilling to let off-field controversy distract from the team's World Cup glory.
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"What are you asking? Sir, we have won such a good World Cup. What should I say about what Kiri Azad said. Ask something good. See this is a good question (after another reporter asked a question). You asked a useless question," Kishan told media.
Ishan Kishan's stellar show in T20 World Cup 2026
Throughout the 2026 T20 World Cup, Kishan was a powerhouse at the top of the order, finishing as India’s second-highest run-scorer. Over the course of nine innings, he amassed a total of 317 runs, maintaining a solid average of 35.22. Most impressively, he operated at a blistering strike rate of 193.29, consistently providing the explosive starts that defined India's aggressive approach under the new leadership.
Kishan's consistency was highlighted by three vital half-centuries during the campaign, but his most impactful performance came on the grandest stage. In the final against New Zealand, he played a blistering knock of 54 runs off just 25 balls, setting the tone for India's massive total and ensuring the momentum stayed firmly with the "Men in Blue" from the very first over.