![Ishan Kishan reacts to Kirti Azad controversy [Source: @NewsArenaIndia, @souravreporter2/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1773138790967_IshanKishanhitsbackatKirtiAzad.jpg?type=hq)
Ishan Kishan reacts to Kirti Azad controversy [Source: @NewsArenaIndia, @souravreporter2/X.com]
Indian opener Ishan Kishan took a dig at former cricketer Kirti Azad over the latter’s controversial remarks on India’s T20 World Cup 2026 victory. Kishan refused to address Azad’s remarks and urged the reporters to come up with better questions.
After beating New Zealand in the final by 96 runs, Team India visited the Hanuman Temple in Ahmedabad with the trophy to seek blessings of the almighty. However, this move was criticised by Kirti Azad.
Kirti Azad gives a religious angle to India’s World Cup celebration
Former India cricketer and current Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad slammed the Indian team on social media for visiting the temple. He said the World Cup trophy belongs to all Indians, not a single religion.
He questioned why the trophy was not taken to a mosque, church, or gurudwara as well and also added the Indian team represents 1.4 billion people of different faiths.
Azad compared the situation with the 1983 Cricket World Cup, which India won under Kapil Dev. He said that team had players from various regions and backgrounds. According to him, the victory then was celebrated as a national achievement rather than linked to any religion.
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Ishan Kishan hits back at Kirti Azad
While Kirti Azad tried to shame India’s World Cup-winning celebration, Ishan Kishan took a dig at him for creating unnecessary controversy.
At the airport, Kishan was swarmed by reporters who tried to get a reaction out of him on Azad’s comments.
However, the batter refused to pay any heed. He urged reporters to ask some sensible questions and not bring up any unnecessary and irrelevant topics such as Kirti Azad.
“We won a good World Cup, and you should have asked better questions. What should I say about what Kirti Azad said? You should ask better question like how we enjoyed,” Kishan said.
Ishan Kishan took a subtle dig at the former cricketer and indirectly defended his team. After all, how a team chooses to celebrate their triumph is a personal choice and shouldn’t be mixed with politics.
Ishan Kishan turned out to be a true hero
Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan had one of the most successful campaigns of his life at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. After 2 years of layoff, he made a comeback into the national team and made it count.
In 9 innings, he scored 317 runs at a 193.29 strike rate. The pocket dynamo opened the innings initially but later shifted to no. 3.
However, the change of numbers didn’t affect his form, as he proved his mettle once again and led India to its back-to-back ICC T20 World Cup title.
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