Sunil Gavaskar on Tariq: Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar came in support of Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq’s bowling action, stating that it is illegal while adding that Indian batters are not likely to be troubled in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 group clash in Colombo.
The 30-year-old cricketer has played four T20I games so far, taking away 11 wickets at an incredible economy rate of under six runs per over. His stop-and-pause bowling action has been a topic of discussion in the cricketing world at the moment ahead of the India vs. Pakistan clash.
Sunil Gavaskar on Tariq
Tariq’s way of bowling is now being compared to Sri Lanka legend Muttiah Muralitharan due to his hypermobile elbow, which prevents him from fully straightening his arm. The pause in his delivery has received a lot of criticism and different opinions, with former England skipper Kevin Pietersen questioning his action, while R Ashwin has another view.
Gavaskar said,
“I haven’t really seen it properly, apart from a few glimpses on television, which is not always the best thing to see, but look, there is no law against the bowler stopping and delivering the ball, just like there is no law to say to the batter you can’t move before the bowler delivers the ball. So I don’t think, you know, I mean, these are, these are, you know, comments made by people who do not, do not actually know the rules of the game.”
Further, he said,
“I think some of these comments are coming from people who do not fully understand the rules of the game. There is nothing to be concerned about. From what I saw at the recent practice session that you were around, the Pakistani batters had no problems playing him, so I don’t see the Indian batters having too many problems playing him.”
Sunil Gavaskar also talked about Tariq’s action, which makes him a threat for the Indian team. He said,
“Not really. In T20 cricket, they are going to look after going after a particular bowler, and I think here it was more than the mystery of the bowler; it was the shot selection that got some of the batters out. So I don’t think it is too much of an issue. I think looking to play across the line, if you miss, you’re going to be bowled or out. Every time you look to hit more straight, then you’re more likely to get some bat on it.”
“Usman Tariq action is absolutely fine”: Anil Chaudhary
Former international umpire Anil Chaudhary also backed Tariq’s action, stating it comes within the law of the game.
He said,
“If you look at his action, it is slightly side-on and a bit different, and he bowls with a slight pause. However, since he delivers all his balls in the same manner, and in his arm there is no bending and straightening as per the guidelines, the action is absolutely fine.”
“It is different, and he bowls with a pause, but he delivers all balls in the same way. In my opinion, his actions are fair, and this is a fair delivery.”
India will be clashing with Pakistan for their third group-stage game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo on February 15, Sunday, at the R. Premdasa Stadium.
