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The streets of Patna erupted in celebration as local hero Ishan Kishan<\/strong> returned home following India\u2019s historic T20 World Cup 2026<\/strong><\/a> 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<\/strong> recently sparked a national debate by questioning the Indian team\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n The controversy began when India\u2019s captain Suryakumar Yadav<\/strong>, head coach Gautam Gambhir<\/strong>, and former BCCI<\/strong> <\/a>Secretary and ICC<\/strong> Jay Shah<\/strong> 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 \u201c1.4 billion Indians of every faith<\/em>\u201d and suggesting that sports should remain transcendent of specific religious practices.<\/p>\n SHAME ON TEAM INDIA! \ud83d\ude21<\/p>\n When we won the World Cup under Kapil Dev in 1983, we had Hindu Muslim Sikh and Christian in the team.<\/p>\n We brought the trophy to our religious birth place our motherland India Bharat Hindustan<\/p>\n Why The Hell Is The Indian Cricket Trophy is being Dragged.\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Kirti Azad (@KirtiAzaad) March 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n When pressed by journalists for his take on these comments, Kishan remained unfazed, refusing to let the negativity overshadow the nation\u2019s sporting achievement.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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<\/em>,\u201d 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\u2019s personal moments of gratitude.<\/p>\n #WATCH<\/a> | 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\u2026 I try that more players get inspired to advance ahead\u2026”<\/p>\n On former\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/MfBmqyvMfY<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Also READ:\u00a0Complete list of T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament winners ft. Sanju Samson<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n While the off-field chatter continues, Kishan\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Kishan\u2019s tournament was defined by his ability to perform in high-stakes encounters. His masterclass against Pakistan<\/strong> at the R. Premadasa Stadium, a blistering 77, set the tone for a massive 61-run victory that shifted the momentum in India\u2019s favour during the group stages. He proved that he wasn\u2019t just a flat-track bully but a reliable big-match player capable of anchoring an innings while maintaining a high scoring rate.<\/p>\n The pinnacle of his performance arrived in the grand finale against New Zealand<\/strong>. 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Also WATCH:\u00a0Sanju Samson receives grand welcome at Thiruvananthapuram airport after stellar T20 World Cup 2026 show<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nIshan Kishan responds to Kirti Azad\u2019s criticism over Indian team\u2019s temple visit<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Here\u2019s the video:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Ishan Kishan\u2019s role in India\u2019s dominant campaign in T20 World Cup 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n