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"Idiocy of selectors": Shashi Tharoor blasts Gambhir and co. for sidelining Kuldeep Yadav

Akshita Patel

Shashi Tharoor supports Kuldeep Yadav [Source: @ShashiTharoor, @Crex_live/X.com]Shashi Tharoor supports Kuldeep Yadav [Source: @ShashiTharoor, @Crex_live/X.com]

Congress veteran Shashi Tharoor expressed his strong resentment of Kuldeep Yadav being overlooked in the 2nd ODI against Australia. The controversy centres on Kuldeep, a proven match-winner, being left out in favour of Harshit Rana, who has struggled to make an impact in the series.

India opted for the same playing XI from the Perth opener, backing batting depth and all-rounders over specialist spinners. 

This meant Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm wrist spinner, was confined to the bench while Harshit Rana retained his spot at No. 9. 

Shashi Tharoor fumes after Kuldeep Yadav gets dropped from the 2nd ODI

The decision to leave out Kuldeep Yadav ignited a hot debate on social media. Congress politician Shashi Tharoor, meanwhile, also joined the debate.

He called the decision “idiocy”, pointing out that Australia’s Xavier Bartlett exposed India’s weakness early in the innings.

Bartlett did bowl a brilliant spell, removing Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli in just five deliveries of the seventh over, leaving India reeling at 17-2. 

However, this appears to be a case of mistaken identity. Bartlett is a seamer and hence, direct comparison to Kuldeep doesn't make sense. But Australia does have a left-arm spinner named Xavier Doherty.

Hence, Tharoor likely mistook Bartlett for Doherty while making the argument on Kuldeep.

Shashi Tharoor's tweet [Source: @ShashiTharoor/X.com]Shashi Tharoor's tweet [Source: @ShashiTharoor/X.com]

That being said, Harshit Rana, the player preferred over Kuldeep Yadav and other frontline bowlers like Prasidh Krishna, failed to justify his selection. 

In the Perth ODI, Rana scored just one run off two deliveries and had little impact with the ball, raising questions about why he was again chosen for the crucial Adelaide match. 

Meanwhile, Kuldeep has struggled overseas in recent times but remains a key weapon in limited-overs cricket, especially on pitches that offer turn.

Even Adam Zampa, Australia’s legbreak bowler, picked 2 crucial wickets of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, proof of spinners getting help from the Adelaide surface.