Suryakumar Yadav faces religious controversy after T20 WC win as ‘Mohammed Siraj mosque’ claim emerges

Former Indian cricketer Kirti Azad criticized Team India's recent celebrations following their historic T20 World Cup 2026 victory. The Trinamool Congress MP slammed captain Suryakumar Yadav, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and ICC chairman Jay Shah for visiting a Hindu temple in Ahmedabad with the trophy.

India created history by securing a record-breaking third T20 World Cup title after thrashing New Zealand by 96 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium. After winning the final on Sunday, March 8, the captain and the head coach visited the Hanuman Tekri Temple to offer special prayers with the silverware.

Kirti Azad Questions Suryakumar Yadav-led Team India's T20 World Cup 2026 Winning Celebration

Kirti Azad shared his views regarding the post-match religious celebrations. The 1983 World Cup winner questioned why the prestigious trophy was not taken to a mosque, church, or gurdwara, as the victory belongs to people of every faith in the nation.

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"Why NOT a Mosque? Why NOT a Church? Why NOT a Gurudwara?… The Trophy Belongs to 1.4 BILLION Indians of EVERY Faith — NOT ONE RELIGION'S VICTORY LAP!” Azad wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

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

We Brought The Trophy To Our Religious Birthplace - Kirti Azad

The former cricketer called the specific religious preference shameful and recalled how his 1983 World Cup-winning squad under Kapil Dev celebrated the massive achievement by dedicating the trophy entirely to their motherland without any religious bias.

“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," Azam continued.

"This Team Represents INDIA — not Surya Kumar Yadav's or Jay Shah's Family. (Mohammad) Siraj never paraded it at a Mosque. Sanju (Samson) never took it to a Church... latter had a major part to play and was man of the tournament.”

Suryakumar Yadav's Emotional Gesture on the Pitch

Suryakumar Yadav showed an emotional gesture right after the victory. Following the final wicket in New Zealand's innings, the Indian captain walked towards the pitch, took the soil in his hands, and smeared it on his forehead to celebrate the triumph.

The Suryakumar Yadav-led side became the first-ever team to defend the T20 World Cup title. They also became the first team to win the T20 World Cup at home. It was their third title overall, and they now have the record for the most T20 World Cup trophies in history.

Suryakumar Yadav also had a brilliant individual campaign, finishing as India's third-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 242 runs across nine innings at an impressive strike rate of 136.72.

During the summit clash, India posted a mammoth total of 255 runs, which became the highest-ever score in a T20 World Cup final. Sanju Samson played a stunning knock of 89 runs off 46 balls. Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel claimed four and three wickets, respectively.

Also read: Sanju Samson set to receive special honour from Kerala government after T20 World Cup 2026 heroics