Watch: Ravichandran Ashwin discloses plan to counter Usman Tariq in India vs Pakistan T20 WC 2026

Two days ahead of India’s marquee clash against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo, the questions have been on how India tackles the Pakistan spinner, Usman Tariq, whose action has been the talk of the town. The spinner has puzzled every batter with the unique pause in the bowling.

However, Ravichandran Ashwin, the former Indian spinner, has come up with a cheeky method to face the bowler. He felt that every time Tariq paused in his action, it would be important for the batters to take their stance, as it would then put pressure on the umpires.

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“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. That will be an interesting case and a huge headache for the umpire. 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.” Ashwin expressed on his YouTube channel.

Ravichandran Ashwin reveals plan to counter Usman Tariq in T20 WC 2026

Ashwin trusts that if the batter steps away, then it would put enormous pressure on the spinner, as it would break his rhythm. Meanwhile, he also stood to defend Tariq’s act as being in accordance with the rulebook.

Watch the video here:

“Imagine, this is such a big game. And 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.” Ashwin informed.

“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.” The Chennai-born wrote on his X account.