IND vs PAK: Ravi Ashwin gives unique idea to counter Usman Tariq in match 27 of T20 World Cup 2026: Video

The IND vs PAK match will take place on February 15 in Colombo.

Pakistan’s Usman Tariq’s unique bowling action is in talks ahead of the marquee IND vs PAK clash in the T20 World Cup 2026. This encounter will be played at the RPS Ground in Colombo on February 15. India lead the head-to-head record 7-1 against Pakistan in the T20 World Cups.

Usman’s bowling action has surprised analysts and cricket fans. Tariq’s unusual bent-arm, sling-arm, pause-and-deliver bowling action has catapulted him to fame and controversy, with multiple ex-cricketers and fans accusing him of chucking the ball.

These claims became louder after Tariq took three wickets for Pakistan in their big win over the USA in Colombo. Many experts believe that Tariq will be a major threat to the Indian batsmen, who struggled against Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus, who bowled with a similar action in the recent match in Delhi.

Erasmus troubled the Indian batters with his slow pace and low bounce and picked 4/20 in his 4 overs. But ex-India spinner Ravi Ashwin has shared an amazing idea that can nullify Usman Tariq’s threat if used wisely by the Indian batters.

“I doubt any of the Indian batters…”- Ravi Ashwin gives an idea on countering Usman Tariq

Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat, that Tariq’s delivery stride delay is perfectly legal because it is a component of his standard bowling motion.

“If I have a normal bowling action but suddenly pause and deliver the final ball in the over, that was ruled illegal a few years ago because that is against the natural rhythm of my bowling action. The umpire can warn me. For Tariq, the case is different. That pause is part of his normal action,” he said.

After swiftly stating that it was completely compliant with the rules of the game, Ashwin then suggested a clever strategy and challenged the Indian batsmen to try it. He clarified that if Tariq pauses, a batter has the right to pull out since he cannot predict when he will be released.

“There is one thing I want to see—who dares to do that? If Tariq pauses before delivery, the batter has the right to move away. The batter can say, ‘I don’t know when the ball is coming, so I moved away,'” Ashwin said.

Ashwin also dared Indian batters to employ this tactic, as it would put huge pressure on the umpires as well. This could lead to the umpires asking Tariq to change his action, which could reduce his efficiency.

“That will be an interesting case and a huge headache for the umpire. See, I’m not against anyone. If I were there, I would have done that. I would have done everything that is within the laws of the game. In this instance, the umpire will have to decide whether to warn the bowler or the batter. Odds are—and that is how cricket has worked—the bowler will be warned first.

Imagine, this is such a big game. Tariq has been the cynosure. He has to bowl 24 deliveries like that. If the batter starts withdrawing, imagine the pressure on Tariq. He might have to alter his action in the middle of the game. Pakistan’s trump card might turn out to be nothing. But again, the umpire could also tell the batter that this is his established action, so you cannot move away. This would be an unprecedented situation for an umpire. But I doubt any of the Indian batters have it in them to pull it off. I’m not sure,” Ashwin stated.

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