T20 World Cup win: Kirti Azad slams Surya Kumar Yadav, Jay Shah for temple visit with trophy The former cricketer Kirti Azad criticized Indian cricket captain Surya Kumar Yadav and ICC Chairman Jay Shah for taking the T20 World Cup trophy to a temple in Ahmedabad after India’s victory over New Zealand in the 2026 final. Azad, a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, expressed outrage on social media, accusing the leaders of the Indian team of prioritizing personal religious gestures over the collective pride of the nation. Azad’s post highlighted the contrast between the 1983 team’s approach and the current leadership’s actions. He recalled that the 1983 squad, which included players of diverse faiths, brought the trophy to India’s religious and cultural heartland, symbolizing unity. In contrast, he condemned the recent decision to display the trophy at a Hanuman Temple, arguing that it reduced the achievement to a personal celebration rather than a national triumph. “Siraj never paraded it at a Mosque. Sanju never took it to a Church,” Azad wrote, referencing past players like Sirajul Islam and Sanju Samson. He emphasized that the trophy belonged to all 1.4 billion Indians, regardless of religion, and criticized the leaders for what he called a “victory lap” for a single faith. The incident sparked debate about the role of religious symbolism in sports celebrations. While Yadav and Jay Shah, along with coach Gautam Gambhir, offered prayers at the temple following the win, Azad’s criticism underscored growing concerns about the politicization of national achievements. His post, which included a hashtag “SHAME ON TEAM INDIA,” resonated with many fans who felt the gesture overshadowed the team’s collective success.#ahmedabad #surya_kumar_yadav #kirti_azad #jay_shah #hanuman_temple
