Jay Shah, Suryakumar Yadav, Gautam Gambhir's Temple Visit- World Cup Winner Revolts

Suryakumar Yadav, Jay Shah, and Gautam Gambhir - (Source:X.com)

It has been two days since India lifted their third T20 World Cup, but the celebrations are refusing to die down. The prayers of 1.4 billion Indians worked on Sunday when the Men in Blue beat New Zealand by 96 runs to become the most successful team in the history of the tournament.

It was an extra-special moment because India became the first team to win the T20 World Cup title on home soil. Ahmedabad was buzzing that day, and to lift the title in front of your own people and dignitaries was poetry in motion.

Following the win, team India celebrated on the field, made a few reels, while captain Suryakumar Yadav, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and ICC chairman Jay Shah quickly made a visit to the Hanuman Temple in Ahmedabad.

The trio sought Lord Hanuman’s blessing and also thanked him for a successful tournament. Suryakumar Yadav also took the trophy with him. The moment was widely appreciated by the fans on the internet.

Kirti Azad Slams India For Temple Visit

Meanwhile, the 1983 World Cup winner turned Member of Parliament, Kirti Azad, has slammed ICC chairman Jay Shah and accused them on not being secular. Azad brought up religion to slam Team India, which has actually turned into a big controversy.

"SHAME ON TEAM INDIA! When we won the World Cup under Kapil Dev in 1983, we had Hindu Muslim Sikh and Christian in the team. We brought the trophy to our religious birth place our motherland India Bharat Hindustan. Why The Hell Is The Indian Cricket Trophy is being Dragged. Why NOT a Mosque? Why NOT a Church? Why NOT a Gurudwara? This Team Represents INDIA — not Surya Kumar Yadav's or Jay Shah's Family!" 

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"Siraj never paraded it at a Mosque. Sanju never took it to a Church. latter had a major part to play and was man of the tournament. The Trophy Belongs to 1.4 BILLION Indians of EVERY Faith — NOT ONE RELIGION'S VICTORY LAP! “

Kirti Azad

@KirtiAzaad

SHAME ON TEAM INDIA! 😡 When we won the World Cup under Kapil Dev in 1983, we had Hindu Muslim Sikh and Christian in the team. We brought the trophy to our religious birth place our motherland India Bharat Hindustan Why The Hell Is The Indian Cricket Trophy is being Dragged.

Fans Slam Kirti Azad For Sparking Controversy

The tweet didn't go well for the 1983 World Cup winner as the fans quickly bashed him for spreading hatred. There were a few who agreed with Azad's words, but majority slammed him for his remarks. 

Fans pointed out that the temple visit was a personal choice to express gratitude to Lord Hanuman, which could also be a pledge that the captain and coach took before the start of the tournament. The users also pointed out that the entire team was not forced for a temple visit. Here are some of the reactions.

Desmond Des Des

@jk102801

@KirtiAzaad Let’s be real,nobody complains when athletes thank God after a win. But suddenly it’s a problem when it happens in a temple? That sounds less like defending unity and more like policing someone’s religion. SHAME ON YOU .

Dhaval Thakkar

@tdhaval

@KirtiAzaad SHAME? Really? Let's get the facts straight before the outrage. Team India just scripted history: first team to win 3 T20 World Cups, first to defend the title, first to lift it as hosts — crushing NZ by 96 runs at Narendra Modi Stadium. A nation of 1.4 billion erupted in pride.

Swapna Kumar Panda

@swapnakpanda

@KirtiAzaad Sorry to say this. But SHAME ON YOU!!! It's their personal choice where they wish to take the trophy. Every player can take it to their religious place. Temple is a sacred place. What's wrong in taking there? You guys don't find it wrong while throwing champagne on a trophy,

For the unversed, Kirti Azad represented India from 1980 to 1986. He played 32 games across formats and struggled to get going. Azad scored 404 runs and failed to score any fifty in his international career. 

He was part of the 1983 World Cup winning squad, but Kirti Azad played 3 matches. He scored a total of 15 runs (HS 15, avg 7.50) and took 1 wicket (BBI 1/28, avg 42.00, econ 2.47).

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