NewKerala.com

Gambhir Seeks Divine Blessings at Siddhivinayak Temple Ahead of India's T20 WC Opener

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir visited Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple to seek blessings ahead of the T20 World Cup opener against the USA. The defending champions, led by Suryakumar Yadav, are strong contenders aiming to become the first team to win consecutive T20 World Cups and the first host nation to lift the trophy. India enters the tournament on a dominant run, having recently won series against South Africa and New Zealand and boasting a formidable win-loss ratio since the last World Cup. The team's preparation was further solidified with a convincing warm-up victory over South Africa.

Key Points: Gambhir Visits Temple Before India's T20 World Cup Title Defence

  • Gambhir seeks blessings before WC opener
  • India aims for back-to-back titles
  • No host nation has ever won T20 WC
  • Team on dominant winning streak
  • Campaign starts vs USA at Wankhede
2 min read

Gautam Gambhir seeks blessings at Siddhivinayak temple ahead of India's T20 WC opener

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir seeks blessings at Siddhivinayak Temple as the defending champions prepare for their T20 World Cup opener against USA.

"denying India both milestones would take something extraordinary."

Mumbai, Feb 5

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir visited the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple on Thursday and sought blessings from Lord Ganesha ahead of the side's home T20 World Cup campaign. He was accompanied by batting coach Sitanshu Hargovindbhai Kotak.

The Men in Blue will start their title defence on Saturday against the USA when the two sides square off at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.

Earlier, Gambhir visited the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati ahead of the third T20I of the five-match series against New Zealand and offered prayers at the historic shrine. After concluding the third game, Gambhir, along with Team India players, visited Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple in Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam, before the fourth T20I.

Defending champions India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, are among the strongest contenders for the title this year. If they succeed, the Men in Blue will become the first team to win back-to-back T20 World Cups. Notably, no host nation has ever lifted the T20 World Cup trophy, giving India a rare opportunity to rewrite history, and denying India both milestones would take something extraordinary.

The sheer depth and class of India's T20 talent mean this side is a clear step up from the team that went unbeaten across diverse conditions in the USA and the West Indies two years ago. This dominant T20 unit last lost a series back in August 2023, well before that World Cup. Since the start of the previous tournament, India boast a remarkable win-loss ratio of 6.5 in a format known for its unpredictability.

The team has prepared remarkably well. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, they recently won a five-match T20I series against South Africa and New Zealand, reaffirming their dominance over the Proteas.

On Wednesday, they defeated South Africa by 30 runs in the official warm-up match and will look to head into their campaign opener against the USA with the same form and momentum.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone new to following cricket in India, I find this tradition fascinating. The blend of intense preparation and spiritual seeking seems to be a unique part of the team's mindset. Good luck to Team India!
V
Vikram M
While I appreciate the sentiment, I hope the focus remains squarely on cricket strategy and player form. Prayers are good for morale, but matches are won on the field with skill and planning. The stats look promising, but the USA match shouldn't be taken lightly.
P
Priya S
Gambhir Sir visiting temples across India shows he's connecting with the soul of the nation. From Kamakhya to Siddhivinayak, it's a beautiful gesture. The team looks unstoppable on paper. Let's make history and win it at home! 🇮🇳
R
Rohit P
The pressure is immense! No host has ever won the T20 WC. But if any team can break that jinx, it's this Indian side. The depth is incredible. Hope the blessings translate into calm nerves during those tight finishes. All the best, Men in Blue!
K
Kavya N
Love this! It's not just about cricket; it's about our culture and values. Wankhede will be electric on Saturday. Hope the team feels the energy of a billion prayers behind them. Go India! 🏏

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50