Gambhir, Kotak seek Mahakal blessings ahead of 3rd T20I in Indore
Synopsis
With the T20I series locked at 1-1 after a stunning West Indies run-chase in Ranchi, India coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak turned to a familiar pre-match ritual — a visit to the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. It is a tradition Gambhir has kept before Indore fixtures, and the third T20I at Holkar Stadium is as high-stakes as it gets.
Key Takeaways
Gautam Gambhir and Sitanshu Kotak visited Mahakaleshwar Temple , Ujjain, on 11 October ahead of the 3rd T20I against the West Indies.
The five-match T20I series is level at 1-1 after the West Indies chased down 250 in Ranchi with over an over to spare.
Gambhir said: 'Baba's blessings have always been with me...
I am confident that we will do well.' The coaches made a similar temple visit in January before the decisive 3rd ODI against New Zealand at Holkar Stadium , participating in the Bhasma Aarti for nearly two hours .
Holkar Stadium is known for batting-friendly conditions; India face questions about their bowling after conceding 250 runs in Ranchi.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak visited the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on Sunday, 11 October to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva ahead of the third T20I against the West Indies at Holkar Stadium in Indore later that day. The visit came at a pivotal moment in the five-match series, with both teams level at 1-1.
Series Context: A Thrilling Leveller in Ranchi
The West Indies drew level in dramatic fashion in the second T20I at Ranchi, chasing down India's 250-run target with more than an over to spare. The visitors' record chase set the stage for a high-stakes third encounter in Indore, with both sides eager to seize the advantage in a series that has already produced remarkable cricket.
What Gambhir Said at the Temple
After his visit, Gambhir spoke to reporters and expressed quiet confidence rooted in faith. 'I was called here for darshan, and Baba's blessings have always been with me. May his blessings remain upon the country as well. I am confident that we will do well, and Baba's blessings will always be with us,' he said.
A Familiar Ritual: Temple Visits Before Indore Matches
This was not the first time the two coaches made the Mahakaleshwar pilgrimage before a match in Indore. In January, ahead of a decisive third ODI between India and New Zealand at Holkar Stadium, Gambhir and Kotak participated in the sacred Bhasma Aarti in the Nandi Hall, remaining for nearly two hours. After the aarti, they offered water to Nandi and had darshan of Lord Mahakal from the temple threshold. Gambhir has visited the temple on several occasions, including a family visit roughly five months before that January trip, and has attended the Bhasma Aarti Darshan multiple times.
Match Preview: Batting Track, Bowling Questions
Holkar Stadium is renowned for its batting-friendly conditions and short boundaries, making totals of 200-plus a common occurrence. India will be under pressure to tighten their bowling after conceding 250 runs in Ranchi, a figure the West Indies overhauled with relative ease. The visitors, buoyed by the confidence of that historic chase, will look to carry their momentum into the third game. The result in Indore is expected to have a decisive bearing on the direction of the series.
Point of View
But the real story heading into the third T20I is tactical, not spiritual. Conceding 250 and watching it get chased is a serious alarm bell for India's bowling unit, and no amount of Baba's blessings will fix a leaky death-over economy. The West Indies' Ranchi chase — one of the most clinical in recent T20I history — deserves more analytical weight than it has received. India's bowling attack at Holkar, a stadium that routinely punishes short-boundary fields, faces its sternest examination of the series.
NationPress
11 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Gautam Gambhir visit Mahakaleshwar Temple before the 3rd T20I?
Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak visited the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on 11 October to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva ahead of the third T20I against the West Indies in Indore. Gambhir said he was 'called for darshan' and expressed confidence that the team would do well with Lord Mahakal's blessings.
What is the current status of the India vs West Indies T20I series?
The five-match T20I series between India and the West Indies is level at 1-1 heading into the third game at Holkar Stadium in Indore. The West Indies levelled the series in Ranchi by chasing down India's 250-run target with more than an over to spare.
Have Gambhir and Kotak visited Mahakaleshwar Temple before?
Yes. In January, ahead of the decisive third ODI between India and New Zealand at Holkar Stadium in Indore, both coaches visited the Mahakaleshwar Temple and participated in the Bhasma Aarti, remaining in the Nandi Hall for nearly two hours. Gambhir has visited the temple on multiple occasions.
What are the key talking points ahead of the 3rd T20I at Holkar Stadium?
India's primary concern is their bowling, having conceded 250 runs in Ranchi, a total the West Indies overhauled comfortably. Holkar Stadium's batting-friendly pitch and short boundaries make it one of cricket's highest-scoring venues, meaning India's bowlers face another stern examination. The West Indies will be looking to carry their momentum from the record chase in Ranchi.
What is the Bhasma Aarti at Mahakaleshwar Temple?
The Bhasma Aarti is one of the most sacred rituals at the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, performed in the early hours using sacred ash (bhasma). It is considered a highly auspicious ceremony, and both Gambhir and Kotak participated in it during their January visit, sitting in the Nandi Hall for nearly two hours.
