Shashi Tharoor’s Post on Team India Goes Viral for a Glaring Mistake

Congress MP and author Shashi Tharoor found himself at the receiving end of social media trolling after a cricket analysis post of his went awry during the India vs Australia second ODI in Adelaide. Attempting to criticize India’s team selection for leaving out Kuldeep Yadav from the playing XI, Tharoor ended up committing a rather comical error that cricket fans were quick to pick apart.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tharoor expressed frustration over Kuldeep Yadav’s omission, calling it “idiotic” and “absurd.” However, his critique went viral for all the wrong reasons after he appeared to confuse Australian pacer Xavier Bartlett for a spinner.

The Tweet That Started It All

Posting after Bartlett’s sharp spell that removed Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli in just five balls, Tharoor wrote:
“So Xavier Bartlett took just four balls to show the Indian selectors the idiocy of their decision to leave out the most potent match-winner in their squad, @imkuldeep18, in favour of a journeyman pacer like Rana. It was wrong to omit Kuldeep in England & it is absurd not to pick him in Adelaide. Awful!”

At first glance, the comment appeared to be a straightforward critique of India’s decision to prefer Harshit Rana over Kuldeep Yadav. But cricket fans immediately spotted the flaw — Bartlett, the Australian bowler whose performance prompted Tharoor’s post, is a fast bowler, not a spinner.

Fans Troll the “Wrong-Un”

Social media erupted in laughter and sarcasm as users pointed out the mix-up. Some wondered whether Tharoor had confused Bartlett with former Australian left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty, who retired from international cricket almost a decade ago. Others joked about Tharoor’s trademark flair for complicated English being used to mask a simple mistake.

One user quipped, “Xavier Bartlett is a fast bowler, Tharoor saab! What did you have to drink last night?” while another wrote, “Sir, if you want to make such senseless comparisons, at least write them in English no one can understand; that would have saved you.”

The episode became a trending topic, with cricket fans combining humor and memes to troll the politician’s “googly.”

Why Tharoor Was Upset

Tharoor’s tweet was part of a broader reaction to India’s selection in the second ODI. The decision to stick with Harshit Rana, who had underperformed in the first match, instead of bringing back Kuldeep Yadav, raised questions among analysts and fans alike. Kuldeep, India’s premier wrist-spinner, has been one of the most consistent wicket-taking options in limited-overs cricket.

India had opted to field the same XI from the Perth opener, focusing on all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar instead of specialist spinners. Bartlett’s fiery new-ball burst, which accounted for two of India’s top three batters, only intensified debates about India’s bowling balance.

The Internet Reacts

Even amid the online trolling, Tharoor’s post reopened discussions about Kuldeep’s role in India’s white-ball setup and the team’s tendency to overlook frontline spinners in overseas conditions. However, it also served as a reminder of how unforgiving social media can be when a public figure fumbles facts.

The politician did not issue a follow-up clarification, but his post continues to circulate widely as part of a light-hearted social media moment in the ongoing India-Australia series.