![Gautam Gambhir attends Bhasma Aarti at Ujjain [Source: @PTI_News/X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1768542549550_GautamGambhiratMahakaltemple.jpg?type=hq)
Gautam Gambhir attends Bhasma Aarti at Ujjain [Source: @PTI_News/X]
The Indian cricket team’s long-standing religious association, with players and support staff visiting holy places and temples before important matches, is nothing new. Adding to this spiritual tradition, India head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen visiting the Mahakaleshwar Temple on Friday to offer prayers ahead of the third ODI against New Zealand.
Gautam Gambhir visited the temple along with India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak as Team India arrived in Indore to prepare for the series decider scheduled for Sunday, January 18. Before the clash, Gambhir and Kotak reached the Mahakal Temple at around 4 a.m. to take part in the revered Bhasma Aarti.
Gautam Gambhir and his practice of visiting temples before matches
Gautam Gambhir has previously visited several prominent temples before crucial matches. He had earlier offered prayers at the Maa Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati ahead of the second Test against South Africa.
Such religious visits by Gambhir have often been linked to his deep dedication and desire to see his team succeed in all conditions while seeking divine blessings.
In November 2025, before the Eden Gardens Test against South Africa, Gambhir also visited the Kalighat Temple in Kolkata. A closer look reveals that Gambhir has prayed at several religious sites ahead of important India tours or major matches.
Even before taking up the coaching role, during the 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, Gambhir, then serving as mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants, visited the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Andhra Pradesh to offer prayers for India’s success. For India’s benefit, Gambhir has consistently been seen visiting such spiritual locations.
Gambhir and Sitanshu Kotak attends Bhasma Arti in Ujjain
On Friday, Gautam Gambhir and Sitanshu Kotak attended the Bhasma Aarti at the Nandi Hall of the Mahakaleshwar Temple. Both coaches sat through the ritual for nearly two hours and prayed for Lord Mahakal’s blessings and the team’s success.
After the aarti concluded, Gambhir and Kotak had darshan of Lord Mahakal and also offered water to Nandi as part of the customary rituals.
Following the darshan, Assistant Administrator Ashish Falwadia honoured Gautam Gambhir and Sitanshu Kotak on behalf of the Mahakaleshwar Temple Committee to acknowledge their participation in the sacred ceremony.
India’s 2nd ODI loss at Rajkot
Whether divine blessings bring divine intervention or not, India endured a difficult outing in the second ODI. After Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma failed with the bat, scoring 23 and 24 respectively, it was only KL Rahul’s resilient 112 that revived India’s innings.
KL Rahul’s effort helped India post a total of 284 runs, but New Zealand chased it down with authority through Will Young and Daryl Mitchell. The Indian bowlers struggled in Rajkot after early breakthroughs, with Harshit Rana dismissing Devon Conway and Prasidh Krishna removing Henry Nicholls.
However, Young and Mitchell added a decisive 162-run partnership. Kuldeep Yadav endured a tough spell, conceding 82 runs in his 10 overs while taking just one wicket, while Prasidh Krishna gave away 49 runs for one wicket.
Mitchell’s brilliant 131 and Glenn Phillips’ unbeaten 32 guided New Zealand to a comfortable seven-wicket win with 2.3 overs remaining. With the series now level at 1-1, the decider will be played in Indore on January 18.
