Harbhajan Singh Condemns Kirti Azad's Remarks on Team India's Temple Visit
Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has launched a sharp criticism against 1983 World Cup winner Kirti Azad for questioning the decision of the Indian cricket team's leadership group to take the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 trophy to a temple following their historic victory. The incident occurred after India sealed a commanding 96-run win over New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, securing their record third T20 World Cup title.
Controversy Over Trophy Visit to Hanuman Temple
Following the triumph, skipper Suryakumar Yadav, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah visited a Hanuman temple near the stadium to seek blessings, bringing the trophy along with them. In a statement to reporters on Tuesday, Kirti Azad expressed disapproval, asserting that sport and sportspersons should not be associated with any religion or caste.
Harbhajan Singh responded forcefully, labelling Azad's comments as "absurd" and accusing him of politicising what he described as a simple act of devotion. "It's absurd that someone is politicising the players taking the trophy to a temple. Kirti himself is a former cricketer, so I didn't expect him to say such a thing. Perhaps he's prioritising politics more and has forgotten he's a sportsman," Harbhajan stated.
Kirti Azad's Stance on Sports and Religion
Kirti Azad had emphasised that the victory was a moment of pride for all Indians, regardless of religion. "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," he remarked.
However, Harbhajan countered this view, arguing that the temple visit was a personal gesture by the team and should not be misconstrued as a religious statement. He urged Azad to refrain from making such remarks, highlighting the need to keep sportsmanship above political agendas.
Harbhajan's Views on Team Rewards and Performance
In addition to the temple controversy, Harbhajan Singh also commented on the financial rewards for the Indian team. The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced a prize of Rs 131 crore for the squad after their World Cup success. Harbhajan expressed that he had expected a larger reward, given the magnitude of their achievement.
"I was expecting more, because when such a big task is undertaken, the reward should be even greater. But congratulations to the team for their dominance in the World Cup, and for showing everyone how powerful India is," he said, praising the players for their dominant campaign.
India's Historic T20 World Cup Triumph
India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2026 marked several historic milestones:
- Becoming the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title.
- Winning the trophy on home soil for the first time.
- Securing a record third T20 World Cup title, after previous wins in 2007 and 2024.
The win was sealed with a 96-run victory over New Zealand, showcasing India's cricketing prowess and solidifying their status as a global powerhouse in the sport.
