Shashi Tharoor slams AI-generated video praising Pakistan decision to play India in T20 World Cup

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has rejected an AI-generated video circulating on social media that shows him praising Pakistan for reversing its decision to play against India in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

The video features a poorly generated clone of the Thiruvananthapuram MP, with a voice resembling Tharoor describing Pakistan’s diplomatic move as “brilliant” and suggesting it pinned the Indian cricket board.

Reacting to the clip, Tharoor posted on X, calling it fake and poorly made. “AI-generated fake news, and not even very good. Neither my language nor my voice,” he wrote, distancing himself from the remarks attributed to him.

The viral video emerged amid heightened attention around the India-Pakistan clash in the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in Colombo after Pakistan withdrew its earlier threat to boycott the match. The fabricated clip claimed Tharoor had praised Pakistan’s handling of the situation and framed it as a lesson in diplomacy.

Earlier, Tharoor had taken a very different position on the issue. He criticised Pakistan’s initial refusal to play India, calling the politicisation of sport unfortunate. He also referred to the denial of a contract to Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman in Kolkata as an example of politics intruding into cricket, while adding that Bangladesh’s response was an overreaction shaped by the same environment.

The controversy follows other recent cases of AI-manipulated videos. Rajeev Shukla, vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, had earlier denied remarks attributed to him in an AI-altered clip aired on a Pakistani cricket show hosted by Shoaib Malik. Shukla urged the public to report the manipulated content.

Pakistan had earlier threatened to boycott the India match but later withdrew the call, allowing the high-profile T20 World Cup fixture to proceed as scheduled.