[WATCH] ‘Ask better questions’ – Ishan Kishan’s retort to journalist over query on Kirti Azad’s ‘Shame on Team India’ comment

Indian batter Ishan Kishan expressed displeasure on being asked about Kirti Azad’s statement about the Indian team’s World Cup win.

Former Indian cricketer, 1983 World Cup winner and now Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament, Kirti Azad, called out the actions of Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, coach Gautam Gambhir and ICC Chairman Jay Shah on their visit to a temple with the trophy in Ahmedabad, after the victory in the final of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against New Zealand on Sunday March 8.

“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. Why NOT a Mosque? Why NOT a Church? Why NOT a Gurudwara? This Team Represents INDIA — not Surya Kumar Yadav’s or Jay Shah’s Family ! Siraj never paraded it at a Mosque. Sanju never took it to a Church. latter had a major part to play and was man of the tournament. The Trophy Belongs to 1.4 BILLION Indians of EVERY Faith — NOT ONE RELIGION’S VICTORY LAP! #T20WorldCup2026final #IndiaVsNewZealand #TeamIndia,” he wrote on X (formerly 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

On later being asked about this, he iterated that sportspersons should not be identified by religion, caste or creed.

“140 crore people were excited when Team India, which includes people from all religions, won. A sportsperson or sports does not belong to any religion or caste but only to the sport. As a sportsperson, I say Team India made India victorious. Team India won, and this is a matter of pride for the people of India,” he later said to the press.

Kishan’s disgruntled reaction on being asked about Kirti Azad’s remarks

On being asked about Azad’s remarks, he shared his displeasure at not being asked about the World Cup Victory.

“We have won a great World Cup, so please ask good questions. Now, on what Kirti Azad has said, what am I supposed to say? Please ask some relevant questions like how fun the experience was,” he said to reporters. 

Kishan finished the tournament with 317 runs in nine innings, at a blistering strike rate of 193.29. His 54 off just 25 balls in the final helped set the platform for India’s ascent to 255 in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday March 8.