Politician and author Shashi Tharoor on Thursday criticised Indian selectors for excluding spinner Kuldeep Yadav from the second ODI XI in Adelaide and opting for pacer Harshit Rana, as Australian quick Xavier Bartlett dismantled India's top order with Virat Kohli's duck off just four balls.
In a strongly-worded social media post, Tharoor labelled the decision "idiocy" and "absurd," questioning the logic of benching a player he described as the "most potent match-winner in their squad."
In a post on X, 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!" [sic]
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…
October 23, 2025Tharoor's comments were triggered just moments into the match. He pointed to the immediate success of Australian pacer Xavier Bartlett, who claimed a wicket just four balls into his spell. Tharoor used this development as sarcastic proof of the selectors' error.
However, Tharoor's attempt to criticise the Indian cricket team's Playing XI and more so, the selectors was corrected online for a significant error. In his post, Tharoor appeared to reference Bartlett's performance as a reason why India should have played a spinner.
This led to a "viral faux pas" as users quickly highlighted that Bartlett is, in fact, a fast bowler known for seam and swing, not spin. The error made netizens question his critique and led to criticism of his understanding of the game.
Bartlett isn't a spinner . That's Xavier Doherty
October 23, 2025While I am in favour of Kuldeep's selection, there is no comparison between Kuldeep & Bartlett. The former is a wrist spinner & latter is a seam bowler for whom these wickets are made.
October 23, 2025@ShashiTharoor Sir Xavier Barlett is a right-arm fast bowler, while Kuldeep Yadav is a left-arm spinner.
October 23, 2025India Vs Australia 2nd ODI
Meanwhile, in the second ODI, India rode on former skipper Rohit Sharma's watchful 73 and Shreyas Iyer's 61 to post a competitive 264 for nine against Australia in the second ODI in Adelaide on Thursday. Sent into bat, Rohit scored his runs off 97 balls with the help of seven boundaries and two hits over the fence, while Iyer made his runs off 77 deliveries that included seven fours.
Besides Rohit and Iyer, Axar Patel (44 off 41) also played a good hand. Towards the end, Rana (24 not out off 18) and Arshdeep Singh (13 off 14) shared vital 37-run stand for the ninth wicket to take India to the competitive total.
India trail the three-match series 0-1 after losing the rain-interrupted opening ODI by seven runs via DLS method in Perth.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
