Patna: Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan avoided commenting on the controversy surrounding former cricketer Kirti Azad after India’s triumphant ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. The cricketer chose to focus on the team’s historic victory rather than engage in the ongoing debate when he arrived in Patna to celebrate the title win.
Kishan landed at the Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna on Tuesday, where he was welcomed by fans and media following India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign. During an interaction with journalists at the airport, he was asked about Azad’s remarks concerning the Indian team taking the T20 World Cup trophy to a temple after their victory.
However, Kishan politely declined to comment on the issue and instead encouraged reporters to discuss the team’s performance and their journey in the tournament.
Kishan avoids controversy
Responding calmly to the question, Kishan said he would prefer to talk about the team’s achievements rather than the controversy surrounding Azad’s comments.
“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 said.
His response was widely noted for its composed tone, as he avoided getting involved in a sensitive discussion that has been circulating on social media.
Kishan’s statement shifted the conversation back to the celebratory mood surrounding India’s T20 World Cup victory.
What triggered the debate
The controversy began after former Indian cricketer and politician Kirti Azad commented on social media about the team’s visit to a Hanuman temple in Ahmedabad with the World Cup trophy.
After India’s victory in the final, captain Suryakumar Yadav, head coach Gautam Gambhir and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah reportedly visited the temple to offer prayers and celebrate the triumph.
Azad subsequently raised questions about the gesture, stating that the World Cup victory belongs to the entire nation and should represent all Indians irrespective of religion.
In his remarks on social media, Azad wrote that the trophy symbolises the pride of “1.4 billion Indians of every faith”, suggesting that sporting achievements represent the country as a whole rather than any specific religious identity.
His comments sparked a discussion online, with fans and commentators expressing differing views about the issue.
Kishan’s performance in the T20 World Cup
While avoiding the controversy, Kishan’s own performances in the tournament have been widely praised.
The left-handed opener played an important role in India’s successful campaign, providing aggressive starts at the top of the order.
Across nine matches in the tournament, Kishan scored 317 runs at an average of 35.22 and maintained an impressive strike rate of 193.29. His attacking approach helped India dominate powerplay overs in several matches.
During the tournament, he registered three half-centuries and contributed crucial runs in high-pressure situations.
Key knock against Pakistan
One of Kishan’s standout performances came during India’s match against Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
In that game, he played a brilliant innings of 77 runs, helping India post a competitive total and eventually secure a comfortable 61-run victory.
The knock was widely praised for its controlled aggression and ability to maintain momentum during the middle overs.
Impactful innings in the final
Kishan also played a key role in the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand.
Batting confidently in the high-stakes match, he scored a rapid 54 runs off just 25 balls, contributing significantly to India’s imposing total.
His explosive innings helped India reach 255 for five in the final, which became the highest total ever recorded in a men’s T20 World Cup final.
The strong total ultimately proved decisive as India defeated New Zealand to lift the title.
Focus remains on historic triumph
India’s victory in the 2026 T20 World Cup marked a historic milestone for the team, as they became the first nation to win the tournament three times.
The triumph also carried emotional significance for the team and fans, particularly because the final was held in Ahmedabad, the same venue where India had suffered a defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final.
For players like Kishan, the focus remains firmly on celebrating the achievement and acknowledging the efforts of the entire squad during the tournament.
By steering clear of controversy, Kishan emphasised the importance of recognising the team’s collective success and the joy the victory has brought to millions of cricket fans across the country.
A moment of celebration for Indian cricket
As celebrations continue across India, players are returning to their home states where they are being welcomed by fans and local authorities.
For Kishan, the reception in Patna reflects the pride and excitement that the T20 World Cup victory has generated among supporters.
With the tournament now part of India’s cricketing history, players and fans alike are celebrating a moment that reinforces the country’s position as one of the dominant forces in world cricket.