One of the highlights ahead of the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match is Pakistan’s enigma Usman Tariq. It will be India’s first time facing him and he was seen as Pakistan’s ace in the spin-friendly conditions of Colombo.
Despite only playing four T20Is so far, Usman grabbed attention for several reasons– his wicket-taking ability, his unusual bowling action and the intrigue surrounding his potential impact. But India captain Suryakumar Yadav remains undeterred as his team prepares for the marquee clash.
DO NOT LEAVE USMAN TARIQ WITHOUT AN ANSWER
Speaking on pre-match press conference in Colombo, the Indian skipper answered questions about Tariq’s challenge in typical ‘SKY’ fashion – with calm confidence and a clever analogy.
“In exams, if you get a question off the syllabus, you don’t let it go; you try to answer it. That’s what we’re going to try,” Suryakumar said, prompting laughter and nods from the media present.
Tariq has made a name for himself with his performances in franchise leagues around the world. The mystery spinner boasts 70 wickets in 42 T20s at an impressive average of 15.94 and an economy rate of 6.79 – figures that justify Pakistan’s confidence in him for this crucial encounter.
His unorthodox bowling action, a particularly noticeable pause in the crease before the delivery sparked widespread debate among fans, former cricketers and pundits. Even former referees weighed in with their views on its legitimacy and effectiveness.
ASHWIN’S BRILLIANT COUNTER TACTICS
While Suryakumar kept things diplomatic, the Indian veteran spun out Ravichandran Ashwin had a more provocative suggestion. In his YouTube appearance Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin had earlier laid out the clever tactic – which he stressed was completely legal – and urged the Indian batsmen to use it against Tariq’s now-famous break.
“There is one thing I want to see. Who dares?” Ashwin said. “If Tariq stops before the delivery, the batsman has the right to walk away. The batsman can say, ‘I don’t know when the ball is coming, so I walked away’.”
It’s a cheeky but legit trick. If the bowler creates uncertainty about when the ball will be released, the batsmen have the right to retire and reset. Ashwin’s suggestion adds another tactical wrinkle to what is already shaping up to be a fascinating battle.
INDIA READY FOR THE UNUSUAL
In a press conference, Suryakumar made it clear that India has done its homework. “And it’s not that we don’t practice against bowlers with unusual actions – we will plan and practice accordingly,” he said confidently.
With tensions already rising ahead of the India-Pakistan showdown, Tariq adds another layer of intrigue. But if Surya’s words are anything to go by, India is ready to deal with whatever Pakistan throws at them – whether it’s on the syllabus or not.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
February 14, 2026