Gautam Gambhir's sharp reply to Kirti Azad, who caused uproar over carrying the World Cup trophy to the temple, said, "Anyone can get up and do anything..."

The Indian team defeated New Zealand in the final to win the T20 World Cup 2026. After winning the T20 World Cup for a record third time, team captain Suryakumar Yadav, coach Gautam Gambhir, and Jay Shah visited the Hanuman Temple with the trophy. TMC MP and former cricketer Kirti Azad objected to the captain's visit to the temple, calling it a shameful act. Coach Gautam Gambhir has given a befitting reply to Kirti Azad's statement.

Gautam Gambhir gives a befitting reply to Kirti Azad.

In fact, Kirti Azad, a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, questioned the visit of Indian team captain Suryakumar Yadav, coach Gautam Gambhir, and Jay Shah to the temple after becoming world champions, asking why the trophy was taken only to the temple. He said that if this was done, it should have been taken to places of worship of other religions as well. Azad called this move discriminatory.

Gautam Gambhir's strong response

Reacting to these allegations, Gautam Gambhir said that making such statements is not right and diminishes the players' hard work and achievements. He said that this is a proud moment for the entire country and should be celebrated as such.

During an ANI podcast, Gambhir, responding to a question about Kirti Azad's tweet, said,

This question is not even worth answering. Considering the pressure the players faced after losing a match, which was against South Africa, and now that you are making such a statement, you are truly demeaning your own players and your own team, which should not be done. - Gautam Gambhir

Harbhajan Singh also criticized

Amidst this controversy, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh also criticized Kirti Azad's comments and supported the team.