Harbhajan Singh reacts to Kirti Azad's remarks after Team India's triumph

Team India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in AhmedabadFollowing the triumph Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav head coach Gautam Gambhir and the chairman of the International Cricket Council ICC Jay Shah went to a Hanuman temple near the stadium to seek blessings and also carried the trophy along with themLater speaking to the reporters on Tuesday Kirti questioned the move saying that a sportsperson or sport does not belong to any religion or casteldquo140 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 Indiardquo he had saidReacting to Azads criticism former Team India cricketer Harbhajan Singh said that the 67yearold former cricketer forgot that he is a sportsmanIts absurd that someone is politicising the players taking the trophy to a temple Kirti himself is a former cricketer so I didnt expect him to say such a thing Perhaps hes prioritising politics more and has forgotten hes a sportsmanrdquo he saidThe Board of Control for Cricket in India BCCI also announced Rs 131 crore as a reward for the team following their triumph in the global showpieceSpeaking about the reward Harbhajan said that he expected the amount to be more and said that the players have shown how powerful India isldquoI was expecting more because when such a big task is undertaken the reward should be even greater But congratulations to the team for their dominance in the World Cup and for showing everyone how powerful India isrdquo said the Punjabborn cricketerT20 World Cup 2026 Final SummaryBatting first in the final the Men in Blue posted a mammoth total of 256 runs for the loss of five wickets in 20 overs Sanju Samson Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan smashed halfcenturies Facing 46 balls Samson scored 89 runs with the help of five boundaries and eight maximums Abhishek also garnered 52 runs in 21 balls including six boundaries and three maximums Ishan smashed 54 runs off 25 deliveries laced with four boundaries and four maximums Later burly allrounder Shivam Dube also played a fiery cameo of an unbeaten 26 runs in just eight deliveriesChasing a target of 256 New Zealand was bowled out for 159 runs in 19 overs Team Indias lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah returned with figures of four for 15 in four overs Hardik Pandya Varun Chakaravarthy and Abhishek also chipped in with one wicket eachWith ANI Inputs