Indian Cricketers Seek Blessings at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Ahead of Final T20I

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 2026 : Ahead of the fifth and final T20 International against New Zealand, members of the Indian cricket team paid a visit to the historic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram to seek divine blessings. The decisive match of the five-game series is scheduled to be played at the Greenfield International Stadium on Saturday.

India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav led the group of players who visited the revered temple, accompanied by all-rounder Axar Patel, batters Rinku Singh, and spin bowlers Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Ravi Bishnoi. Dressed in traditional attire, the players were seen offering prayers, reflecting the team’s spiritual approach as they prepare for crucial matches.

The temple visit in Thiruvananthapuram is part of a broader religious journey undertaken by Team India during the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. Earlier, several players had visited the historic Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam, ahead of the fourth T20I held in Andhra Pradesh. These visits underline the team’s belief in combining mental strength, discipline, and spiritual grounding during demanding international assignments.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir has also been seen following a similar path during the series. He previously visited the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain and the Kalkaji Temple in Guwahati, seeking blessings as the team navigates a packed international calendar and prepares for major global tournaments.

On the cricketing front, India have enjoyed an impressive run in the T20I series so far. Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, the hosts clinched the series early by winning the first three matches in dominant fashion. The victories highlighted India’s depth in both batting and bowling, with several young players stepping up and delivering impactful performances.

However, India faced a setback in the fourth T20I on Wednesday, suffering a heavy defeat against the Black Caps. After being asked to bat first, New Zealand posted a formidable total of 215 runs, thanks to aggressive and well-compiled innings from Tim Seifert and Devon Conway. India’s chase never really gained momentum, as early wickets put the team under pressure. Despite a fighting knock of 65 runs by Shivam Dube, India eventually went down by 50 runs.

With the series already secured, the Indian team will now look to bounce back strongly and end the series on a winning note in the final match. A positive result would further boost confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7.

India, the defending champions, have been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands. They will begin their World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7, with the team aiming to carry forward the momentum built during this successful home series.