Team India wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan has raised questions on 1983 World Cup winner Kirti Azad’s controversial temple visit comment. The left-handed batsman said that instead of political debate on Azad’s comments, the focus should be on Team India’s victory in the T20 World Cup 2026.
In the final match held in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8, India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs. Captain Suryakumar Yadav, head coach Gautam Gambhir and ICC Chairman Jay Shah visited Hanuman Temple with the trophy. Indian players had sought blessings from this temple even before the final.
Ask some good questions – Ishaan Kishan on Kirti Azad’s comment on temple visit
After the spectacular win, Ishan Kishan was given a grand welcome in his hometown Patna. Kishan expressed disappointment on the questions asked regarding Kirti Azad’s comment. The young cricketer demanded better questions focusing on his sporting achievements.
Ishan Kishan said, “There is no answer to this question. We do not answer Kirti Azad’s question. Ask a good question. We play cricket for the country. We have won the World Cup. You are asking a stupid question.”
Patna, Bihar: Cricketer Ishan Kishan says, “…What has Kirti Azad said about this? What should I say about this now?…” pic.twitter.com/P12gonGLVe
– IANS (@ians_india) 10 March 2026
Not the family of Suryakumar Yadav or Jai Shah – Kirti Azad
Kirti Azad targeted Suryakumar Yadav, Gautam Gambhir and Jai Shah. Stating that the national team represents 1.4 billion Indians of every religion, he questioned why the coveted trophy was not taken to a mosque or a church.
The former cricketer said that the 1983 World Cup team led by Kapil Dev was secular, with people from all religions. He criticized the present management for turning a national sporting achievement into a victory for just one religion.
“This team represents India – not Surya Kumar Yadav or Jay Shah’s family. (Mohammad) Siraj never paraded it to the mosque. Sanju (Samson) never took it to the church… The latter played a major role in it and became the man of the tournament.”
While some fans supported her views, others defended Temple’s visit as an extremely personal act of gratitude. Meanwhile, many cricket fans shared Azad’s 1983 World Cup final scorecard, where he was out for zero runs on three balls.
Ishan Kishan completes spectacular international comeback
Ishan Kishan has had a fantastic individual T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. After being completely dropped from the national team in all formats in 2023, he made his international comeback by dominating the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 517 runs for Jharkhand.
He was initially selected as the backup opener and took advantage of his golden opportunity amid Tilak Verma’s injury. After Shubman Gill’s struggles, the management chose Ishaan ahead of him.
The left-hander finished the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer for the dominant Men in Blue. He missed breaking Virat Kohli’s record of 319 runs in 2014. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson (321) successfully broke that milestone.
Kishan scored 317 runs in nine matches at an impressive average of 35.22 and strike rate of 193.29. During the final against New Zealand, Kishan scored 54 runs in just 25 balls, which included four fours and four sky-scraping sixes.
Also read: Rinku Singh pays emotional tribute to his late father after India’s T20 World Cup 2026 victory