Skip to content

‘If he pauses…’: R Ashwin’s fascinating advice to India ahead of Usman Tariq vs Pakistan Test | Cricket News – The Tech Word News

February 13, 2026
Ravichandran Ashwin and Usman Tariq NEW DELHI: Spin great Ravichandran Ashwin offered a fascinating tactical plan for India’s batsmen ahead of the high-voltage T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan, suggesting they use the rules smartly while countering the unconventional action of the mysteriously smiling Usman Tariq. With Tariq’s stoppage and hiatus already sparking debate across the cricketing world, Ashwin believes awareness and game intelligence could be the key to countering the off-spinner’s growing influence.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!Ashwin said in his YouTube show that batsmen have every right to step back from the crease if they feel insecure during Tariq’s delivery stride. “If he stops before the delivery, the batsman has the right to walk away. He can say ‘I thought he was stopping’. It will be an interesting case and a huge headache for the umpire,” Ashwin explained, highlighting how the mental pressure could shift back to the bowler.

T20 World Cup | Ishan Kishan Press Conference: Indian batting collapses in fifty against Namibia

The veteran spinner even admitted that he would personally use this tactic if he was in the middle. “If I was there, I would have done it. One should do everything to win the match within the rules. I would simply say that I don’t know when he will drop the ball and retire. If I walk away, it is the umpire’s responsibility,” he added, adding that such reactions could unsettle Tariq – a bowler he described as Pakistan’s potential “ace up the sleeve”.Tariq’s unusual sidearm action divided opinion, with debate ranging from legality to effectiveness. While some critics questioned whether the bowler was exceeding the ICC’s 15-degree elbow bend limit, Ashwin urged caution before jumping to conclusions. According to him, real-time assessment of elbow extension is almost impossible for referees on the field and the sport needs better technological support.

Vote

Do you think Ravichandran Ashwin’s strategy of stepping back from the wicket could effectively unsettle Usman Tariq?

“There is a 15-degree rule, but judging it live is impossible. The only solution is to have a real-time testing tool in the competition,” Ashwin said, calling the issue a gray area and warning against unfair allegations.With slow conditions in Colombo likely to aid spin, Ashwin’s strategic insight adds another interesting layer to what promises to be a thrilling showdown between India and Pakistan.

Index
    Settings