India’s celebrations after its landmark ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 victory included a spiritual stop in Ahmedabad, where captain Suryakumar Yadav, Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, and ICC Chairman Jay Shah visited a Hanuman temple with the trophy shortly after the final.
The trio offered prayers at the temple following India’s commanding 96-run win over New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday — a result that secured a record-breaking third T20 World Cup title for the country.
The visit blended celebration with gratitude as India’s leadership group sought blessings while holding the sport’s biggest prize in T20 international cricket.
A spiritual moment after a historic cricket triumph
Soon after the post-match celebrations subsided, Suryakumar, Gambhir, and Shah arrived at the Hanuman shrine located near the stadium complex in Ahmedabad.
The group offered prayers while carrying the T20 World Cup trophy, marking a symbolic moment following India’s dominant tournament campaign.
India’s triumph was historic for several reasons. The team not only secured its third T20 World Cup title, but also became the first side to successfully defend the trophy and win the tournament as the host nation.
The Hanuman temple beside Narendra Modi Stadium
The temple visited by the trio is the Hanuman Tekri Temple, a small but widely known shrine in the Motera area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Located right next to the Narendra Modi Stadium — the world’s largest cricket venue — the temple sits within or immediately adjacent to the broader stadium complex, which was previously known as the Motera Stadium.
Because of its location, the shrine is frequently noticed by fans entering the venue and has become a familiar landmark for visitors attending matches in Ahmedabad.
The temple itself predates the modern stadium complex and has long been regarded as an important religious site in the area.
India dominate the T20 World Cup final
India produced a dominant performance in the final to defeat New Zealand and clinch the title.
The win marked one of the most significant moments in India’s T20 history.
By defending their title and lifting the trophy on home soil, India reinforced its growing dominance in the shortest official format of the game.
