Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir on Thursday, February 5, visited the iconic Siddhivinayak Temple in Dadar, Mumbai, to offer prayers ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to start on Saturday, February 7. The visit, seen as a seek of blessings from Lord Ganesha for success before the marquee event, which is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Gambhir was seen participating in morning aarti at the temple and seeking blessings for the national side. The former opening batsman, known for his focused and intense coaching style, took a brief moment away from the training camp to visit the shrine, which is a popular destination for high-profile figures before significant undertakings.
Gautam Gambhir Visits Siddhivinayak Temple
Video of the coach at the temple and later at Mumbai airport have circulated widely on social media. While Gambhir appeared in good spirits, thanking reporters and well-wishers for their support, he remained strictly focused on the task at hand, maintaining a composed demeanour amidst a flurry of media attention.
Gambhir's Reaction to Pakistan's Boycott Match Against India
On Tuesday, as Gambhir was spotted by paparazzi at the airport, Gambhir chose to ignore persistent questions regarding Pakistan's reported decision to boycott their scheduled T20 World Cup match against India.
Despite being mobbed by reporters seeking his take on the arch-rivals' stance, Gambhir declined to comment on the geopolitical and administrative friction.