Minister Azharuddin gets surprise World Cup win credit from Revanth Reddy

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy stirred a social media storm after mistakenly crediting Mohammed Azharuddin with winning a Cricket World Cup during a rally in Shaikpet. The factual inaccuracy, repeated from an earlier campaign speech, drew widespread online ridicule.

Hyderabad: In what could be billed as a master class in creative history, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy once again gave cricket fans a reason to scratch their heads on Wednesday.

While addressing an election rally in Shaikpet, he proudly credited his new Cabinet colleague Mohammed Azharuddin with leading India to a World Cup victory. A touching tribute, but except for one tiny detail. ‘Azhar Bhai’ never actually did that.

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An enthusiastic Chief Minister declared that he had made Azharuddin his cabinet colleague. He was the one who “brought laurels to the country by winning the World Cup”, the Chief Minister roared as the crowds silently listened while Azharuddin himself, standing a foot away from him, looked the other side.

This wasn’t even a one-off slip. Revanth Reddy had previously bestowed the same imaginary trophy on Azhar during the bypoll campaign.

Netizens, even the vigilant fact-checkers, pounced on the gaffe with memes and comments that spread faster than a T20 run chase.

Meanwhile, the CM’s speechwriters apparently decided to play the classic game of ‘see no error, hear no error’. And Azharuddin? He seemed to have ducked the bouncer by maintaining a dignified silence. Perhaps he is wondering why not accept the free upgrade to being dubbed as the “World Cup-winning captain” and move on.

How does one respond to such faux pas? As typical Hyderabadis, should we adopt our typical ‘Chalta Hai’ attitude ? Or should we say ‘Chalne Doh Balkishan’ and get on with our lives?