WTC Final: Cricket fan Shashi Tharoor makes ‘practical’ prediction after watching two Mumbaikars bat at Oval

Tharoor, an ardent cricket fan, praised the gritty 109-run stand between Mumbai batters Ajinkya Rahane (89) and Shardul Thakur (51), however, conceded that the knocks might still not help India register a win.

“Managed to change my schedule to catch the morning session at the #INDvsAUS Test match and watched the two Mumbaikars, @ajinkyarahane88 & @imShard. In a gritty fight back.

“May not be enough to win the #WTC2023Final but restored some self-respect! Encountered BCCI President @RogerBinnyBCCI, @anilkumble1074 & his charming family, & my @INCIndia colleague @ShuklaRajiv,” Tharoor tweeted alongside pictures with Anil Kumble, BCCI president Roger Binny and BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla.

Managed to change my schedule to catch the morning session at the #INDvsAUS Test match and watched the two Mumbaikars, @ajinkyarahane88 & @imShard in a gritty fight back. May not be enough to win the #WTC2023Final but restored some self-respect! Encountered BCCI President… pic.twitter.com/hHH3u1O3kD

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 9, 2023

India conceded a 173-run first innings lead after getting bundled out for 296 in the first innings. The Australia side ended Day 3 with a 296-run lead. The Pat Cummins lead side took the lead close to 400 with four wickets remaining by Lunch on Day 4.

Tharoor was also in attendance at The Oval on Day 2. Here’s how he summed up his experience of watching a full day of Test cricket after a long gap.

“For the first time in years, spent a day watching #INDvAUS Test match cricket at the Oval. Didn’t miss a ball. Thought I had brought my team luck when they took seven wickets in a session and a half. Then stopped chirping when India lost five wickets too. Have a full schedule in London & can’t see any more, but tomorrow promises to be crucial.”