Congress MP Shashi Tharoor found himself at the center of a social media storm after questioning the Indian cricket selectors’ decision to choose young pacer Harshit Rana over wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav for India’s second ODI against Australia in Adelaide. What began as a criticism intended to spark discussion quickly backfired, exposing an unexpected factual error that the internet didn’t let slide.
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Harshit Rana Tweet That Sparked the Storm
Tharoor took to X (formerly Twitter) to call out the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar, branding their choice as “absurd” and “awful.” He compared the decision to an example from the Australian side, claiming that “Xavier Bartlett’s early double strike of Gill and Kohli” proved India’s decision to back pace over spin “idiotic.”
His statement drew immediate attention — but not in the way he anticipated. Fans quickly pointed out that Tharoor had apparently mixed up two Australian cricketers — pacer Xavier Bartlett and former spinner Xavier Doherty. In his attempt to question selection logic, Tharoor inadvertently used an example that reinforced the selectors’ reasoning to play a pacer-friendly combination.
Twitter users then flooded his mentions with clarifications like, “Sir, Bartlett is a fast bowler. Maybe you meant Doherty?” Others turned the blunder into memes, dubbing it “Tharoor’s googly moment” — one that spun back at its bowler.
Context: Why Did India Pick Harshit Rana Over Kuldeep Yadav?
Ajit Agarkar and the selection committee opted for an extra fast bowling option in Harshit Rana, considering Adelaide’s pitch conditions that typically support seam movement and bounce. Rana’s raw pace and control had impressed selectors in domestic cricket and the IPL, earning him a spot as an emerging fast-bowling asset.
Rana gave a disciplined performance under pressure, showcasing the ability to extract lateral movement, while India’s strategy to bench Kuldeep aligned with surface demands. Ironically, Tharoor’s pacer-spin mix-up — featuring Bartlett’s example — ended up validating this very approach.
Quick Match and Incident Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs Australia, 2nd ODI (Adelaide Oval) |
| Tharoor’s Comment | Criticised Harshit Rana’s inclusion over Kuldeep Yadav |
| Main Blunder | Confused fast bowler Xavier Bartlett with spinner Xavier Doherty |
| Online Reaction | Fans corrected him; “Bartlett is not a spinner!” trended |
| Outcome | India justified their decision tactically; Rana impressed with control |
| Selector Response | Ajit Agarkar defended the lineup, citing conditions and balance |
How Fans Reacted
The internet was quick to respond with humor and sharp analysis. One user wrote, “Sir, it’s okay if you mistake idioms for metaphors but not pacers for spinners!” Another joked, “Even Kuldeep must be smiling now.”
Many defended Ajit Agarkar’s call, pointing out that Bartlett’s fiery over against India’s top order in the Australian innings showcased why fast bowlers were vital in that match. The whole incident became a trending talking point on X, with cricket purists debating selection balance and political personalities entering sports commentary.
External References
- News18: Tharoor’s ‘Awful’ Harshit Rana Dig Backfires
- Cricbuzz: India vs Australia ODI Insights
- Times of India: Ajit Agarkar Explains Selection Logic
Internal Links from TechnoSports.co.in
- India-Australia ODI Series Coverage: TechnoSports Cricket
- More on Indian team selections and debates: TechnoSports Sports
FAQs
Q1: What mistake did Shashi Tharoor make about Harshit Rana’s selection?
Tharoor inadvertently confused Australia’s fast bowler Xavier Bartlett with former spinner Xavier Doherty when criticizing India’s team selection. This error undermined his argument and led to widespread mockery online.
Q2: Why was Harshit Rana picked over Kuldeep Yadav?
Harshit Rana was chosen considering Adelaide’s seam-friendly pitch conditions. Ajit Agarkar’s panel preferred an additional pacer for balance, while Kuldeep Yadav was rested for tactical reasons.
