In a thrilling finale at the T20 World Cup 2026 held at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, Team India secured a commanding 96-run victory over New Zealand. Following the win, captain Suryakumar Yadav, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and ICC chairman Jay Shah visited a Hanuman temple nearby to express their gratitude and brought the trophy along for blessings.
In the aftermath, Kirti Azad voiced his concerns to reporters, stating that sports should transcend religious and caste boundaries. He emphasized, “140 crore people celebrated this victory, which belongs to all, regardless of their faith. As a sportsperson, I believe Team India’s triumph is a proud moment for every Indian.”
Reacting to Azad’s remarks, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh expressed his disappointment, suggesting that Azad’s comments reflect a misunderstanding of sportsmanship. “It’s ridiculous to politicize the act of taking the trophy to a temple. Kirti, as a former player, should remember that sports unite us beyond politics,” he stated.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a reward of Rs 131 crore for the victorious team. Harbhajan remarked that he expected a larger incentive, noting, “When such a monumental achievement occurs, the reward should be even more significant. Nevertheless, congratulations to the team for showcasing India’s strength on a global platform.”
Summary of the T20 World Cup 2026 Final:
Batting first, the Men in Blue amassed an impressive 256 runs for five wickets in 20 overs, with standout performances from Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan, all scoring half-centuries. Samson led the charge with a blistering 89 runs off 46 balls, while Abhishek and Ishan contributed 52 and 54 runs, respectively. Shivam Dube also added a quickfire 26 runs off just eight balls.
In response, New Zealand struggled, getting bowled out for 159 runs in 19 overs. Jasprit Bumrah shone with the ball, taking four wickets for just 15 runs, while Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Abhishek Sharma each picked up one wicket.
(With inputs from ANI)