The streets of Patna erupted in celebration as local hero Ishan Kishan returned home following India’s historic T20 World Cup 2026 triumph. However, the festive atmosphere at Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport was briefly interrupted by questions regarding a growing social media storm. Former cricketer and politician Kirti Azad recently sparked a national debate by questioning the Indian team’s decision to take the World Cup trophy to a temple, a move Kishan handled with the same composure he showed against world-class bowlers during the tournament.

Ishan Kishan responds to Kirti Azad’s criticism over Indian team’s temple visit

The controversy began when India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and former BCCI Secretary and ICC Jay Shah visited a Hanuman temple in Ahmedabad to offer prayers with the silverware. Azad took to social media to express his reservations, noting that the victory belongs to “1.4 billion Indians of every faith” and suggesting that sports should remain transcendent of specific religious practices.

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.…

— Kirti Azad (@KirtiAzaad) March 9, 2026

When pressed by journalists for his take on these comments, Kishan remained unfazed, refusing to let the negativity overshadow the nation’s sporting achievement.

“I have just won such a wonderful World Cup, please ask better questions, what can I say about what Kirti Azad said? Please ask some good questions. Tell me how it feels and how much fun it was,” Kishan told the media with a polite but firm smile. By shifting the narrative back to the collective joy of the win, Kishan effectively neutralized the attempt to politicize the team’s personal moments of gratitude.

Here’s the video:

#WATCH | Patna, Bihar | On India’s ICCT20WorldCup2026 win, Indian cricketer Ishan Kishan says, “It is a great thing for the entire nation and we hope that we play and win the same way in the future as well… I try that more players get inspired to advance ahead…”

On former… pic.twitter.com/MfBmqyvMfY

— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2026

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Ishan Kishan’s role in India’s dominant campaign in T20 World Cup 2026

While the off-field chatter continues, Kishan’s on-field statistics from the 2026 campaign tell the story of a player who has truly come of age. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter was the engine room of India’s aggressive new-age T20 blueprint. Over the course of nine matches, Kishan amassed 317 runs at an impressive average of 35.22. What stood out most, however, was his staggering strike rate of 193.29, which consistently put opposition bowlers on the back foot during the powerplay.

Kishan’s tournament was defined by his ability to perform in high-stakes encounters. His masterclass against Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium, a blistering 77, set the tone for a massive 61-run victory that shifted the momentum in India’s favour during the group stages. He proved that he wasn’t just a flat-track bully but a reliable big-match player capable of anchoring an innings while maintaining a high scoring rate.

The pinnacle of his performance arrived in the grand finale against New Zealand. Facing a disciplined Kiwi attack, Kishan smashed 54 runs off just 25 balls. This explosive cameo was the catalyst that propelled India to a record-breaking total of 255/5, the highest ever recorded in a Men’s T20 World Cup final. As the celebrations continue across the country, it is this clinical batting display, rather than social media debates, that fans will remember for years to come.

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