Gautam Gambhir
Gambhir described Azad’s comments as unworthy of a response and suggested that such statements demean the players.

Overview:

After the win, Suryakumar Yadav, Gambhir, and ICC Chair Jay Shah took the World Cup trophy to a nearby Hanuman temple to seek blessings.

TMC MP and former cricketer Kirti Azad spoke on Wednesday regarding comments made by India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir. Azad emphasised that athletes must always be treated with dignity and respect, and highlighted the need for mutual respect among different religions in a democratic society. He also noted that while players deserve this respect, they must also act responsibly in their conduct.

“Yes, definitely, players should not be degraded. At the same time, players should conduct themselves responsibly. In our democratic nation, where people of all faiths coexist, everyone deserves respect,” Azad said.

The remarks come after Gambhir criticised Azad for questioning the decision of the Indian cricket leadership, including the head coach, captain Suryakumar Yadav, and ICC chairman Jay Shah, to take the T20 World Cup 2026 trophy to a temple in Ahmedabad following the team’s victory. Gambhir described Azad’s comments as unworthy of a response and suggested that such statements demean the players.

“I honestly don’t think that question deserves an answer. This is a huge moment for the entire country, and it’s important to celebrate a World Cup victory. Making certain remarks only takes away from the achievement. Undermining the efforts of these 15 players isn’t fair, considering the pressure they faced—especially after the loss in South Africa. The team has gone through so much, and comments like these end up disrespecting the players and the team, which should never happen,” Gambhir said in an interview with ANI.

India secured their third T20 World Cup title, making history as the first team to defend the trophy and win it on home soil, with a dominant 96-run victory over New Zealand at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.

After the win, Suryakumar Yadav, Gambhir, and ICC Chair Jay Shah took the World Cup trophy to a nearby Hanuman temple to seek blessings.

V M Suriya Narayanan is a passionate cricket writer who has been following the game since 2007. With a background in Civil Engineering (B.E.), he blends analytical thinking with a deep understanding of...