New Delhi: Shashi Tharoor is not just a master of vocabulary and a seasoned politician. The Congress MP is also an avid sports fan and a cricket follower, as is evident from his posts on social media.
On Monday, Tharoor apologised to Team India after Shubman Gill’s men scripted a sensational six-run victory in the fifth and final Test at the Oval to share the series 2-2 with England.
Hailing the ‘special’ team, Tharoor revelled in the exhilarating victory.
“Words fail me… WHAT A WIN! 🇮🇳🏏 Absolutely exhilarated & ecstatic for #TeamIndia on their series-clinching victory against England!” The grit, determination, and passion on display were simply incredible. This team is special,” he wrote on X.
Tharoor, who earlier expressed doubts about India’s chances and urged Virat Kohli to come out of retirement, admitted his mistake.
“I am sorry that I expressed a spasm of doubt about the outcome yesterday. But Mohammed Siraj never stopped believing! Shabash to our heroes,” Tharoor stated.
In a tweet on Sunday night, Tharoor said he was missing Kohli.
“I’ve been missing @imVkohli a few times during this series, but never as much as in this Test match. His grit and intensity, his inspirational presence in the field, not to mention his abundant batting skills, might have led to a different outcome. Is it too late to call him out of retirement? Virat, the nation needs you!” Tharoor had posted.
England, chasing a record 374 in the forth innings at the Oval, powered to 301/3, thanks to Harry Brook’s swashbuckling century and Joe Root’s 39th Test hundred. India looked to be down and out, and like millions of other fans, Tharoor prepared for the worst – a 1-3 series defeat.
He hadn’t taken into account Mohammed Siraj’s fighting spirit and resolve. Siraj, who along with Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep brought India back into the match in the final session of Day 4, produced a dream spell on Day 5 to take three of the four wickets and bowl out England for 367.
Siraj was adjudged Man of the Match for his match haul of 9/190.
