IND vs PAK: India find a way to counter Usman Tariq; bring in THIS bowler to train in nets
(Courtesy :Â Twitter)
The IND vs PAK clash in T20 World Cup 2026 will take place on Sunday, February 15.
Ahead of the most highly awaited clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 between India and Pakistan, much of the narrative has been about how Indian batters will tackle the Pakistani spinners. Playing their first match in Colombo, India will have to adapt quickly to the conditions.
Pakistan on the other hand have played all their matches in Sri Lanka. Their spinners have been tough to score against, and they will look to employ this strategy against their arch-rivals India as well.
The one bowler who has caught everyone’s attention is Usman Tariq. His unique bowling action has been controversial, with many alleging its legitimacy. His action includes a subtle pause at the bowling crease, which has made it difficult for batters to counter him.
Batting against bowlers with unorthodox actions requires time and patience to adjust. Since every Indian batter will face Tariq for the first time directly in the all-important T20 World Cup clash, Team India is taking special measures to ensure their batters are geared up for the Men in Green on Sunday.
India find a way to counter Usman Tariq; bring THIS bowler to train in nets
All the hype has been around Usman Tariq with many even saying that India might struggle against him. Amid all this, the Suryakumar Yadav-led side are making sure that they leave no stone unturned in their preparations. They brought in a bowler like Tariq, making many surprise.
Indian opener Abhishek Sharma was spotted batting against a net bowler, whose action resembled that of Usman Tariq. The two key points of Tariq’s bowling action are his low-elbow release, and slight pause at the bowling crease.
Later, captain Suryakumar Yadav himself was mimicking the Pakistani spinner’s action in the nets. The batter in focus was Abhishek Sharma yet again, as ICC World No. 1 T20I batter looks to make his return after missing the previous clash against Namibia due to stomach issues.
Earlier, against Namibia, captain Gerhard Erasmus strangled India’s middle-order with an action similar to that of Tariq. While the Men in Blue managed an easy win despite Erasmus’ four-fer, they cannot afford to go unprepared against Pakistan, and are hence taking all possible measures to be ready for the challenge.
Why is Usman Tariq a major concern for India?
His unorthodox action, low-elbow release, and pause at the crease make him difficult to pick.
How is India preparing to counter Tariq?
India brought in a net bowler with a similar action and even had captain Yadav mimic Tariq’s delivery stride.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.