Singer Kailash Kher’s mid-innings show at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final in Ahmedabad has drawn sharp criticism online, with viewers, specifically Indians, calling it the placement of Hindu religious content at the centre of a global, multi-faith sporting event.
On Sunday, Kher performed a devotional song dedicated to Hindu god Shiva at the innings break of the IPL final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with the league’s official account describing it as “a magical mid-innings performance”.
The reaction online was immediate as people argued that staging Hindu devotional content at the mid-innings break of a tournament that draws players and fans from across the world and across every religion was the wrong call.
“Worst form of religiofication [sic] of sports,” one user wrote. “Gujju [Gujarati] lobby should be kept far away from this beautiful sport,” they added.
Others pointed to the contradiction of the display being cheered on by the very people who claim religious authority. “Sports has nothing to do with religious things,” one wrote. Another said, “so-called religious people call themselves divine but now they are supporting this.”
Some turned the criticism inward. “Nothing else, they are making fun of their own religion,” read one comment. Another added, “They have reduced Indian culture to a religious culture.”
One user wrote, “If you make a jaahil person a leader, he will definitely show his Jaahilpan.”
“No wonder people have stopped watching IPL,” wrote one user.
Several users drew a direct line to the BCCI’s political connections. “Ladies and Gentlemen, BCCI’s chairman presents to you Sanatani [original Sanskrit name for Hinduism] cricket,” one user wrote.
“Soon they will ask international players to chant Hindu bhajans if they want to play IPL,” another said.
“A pro-Hindu propaganda performance has no room in a secular sporting event,” a third wrote.
On the pitch, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) beat Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets, with Virat Kohli scoring an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls to secure RCB’s second consecutive IPL title.
