“I am sorry” - Shashi Tharoor apologises for questioning Virat Kohli-less Team India

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor took to X (Formerly Twitter) to send his apologies to the Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, as they levelled the five-match Test series 2-2 after their exceptional performance on the fifth and final day of the Oval Test on Monday, August 4.

While Joe Root and Harry Brook stitched a 195-run stand on the penultimate day of the Oval Test to take the game away from the Indian team in the 374-run chase, Tharoor stated that he was missing Virat Kohli, who announced his retirement from Tests ahead of the England tour.

However, with Mohammed Siraj changing the game upside down with his exceptional nine-wicket match haul, Tharoor fell short of words as he apologized to the whole Indian team for doubting their capabilities in Kohli’s absence. 

"Words fail me....WHAT A WIN! Absolutely exhilarated & ecstatic for Team India 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.

"I am sorry that I expressed a spasm of doubt about the outcome yesterday. But @mdsirajofficial never stopped believing! Shabash to our heroes,” he added.

https://x.com/ShashiTharoor/status/1952336990407672077

"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 wrote on Sunday.

https://x.com/ShashiTharoor/status/1952038774361501948

Ahead of the start of the fifth and final day of the Oval Test, England required only 35 runs with four wickets in hand. However, Jamie Smith returned to the pavilion quite early, courtesy of Mohammed Siraj’s exceptional bowling.

Later, Jamie Overton followed the queue after getting LBW off Siraj. A few overs later, Prasidh Krishna yorked Josh Tongue for a 12-ball duck. While Gus Atkinson looked dangerous, he got bowled off Siraj in the 86th over as India levelled the series 2-2.

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