New Delhi: As India and Pakistan gear up to write another chapter in their historic cricketing rivalry, much of the pre-match talk ahead of the marquee clash revolves around Indian batters vs Pakistan spin
bowler Usman Tariq.
The right-arm spinner has created a lot of buzz at the ongoing T20 World Cup due to his unconventional bowling style. Tariq's action has caught so much attention that many deem it illegal. The sling-arm action, a momentary pause, and a statue-like pose at the popping crease make for a deadly cocktail for the batters, who find it almost impossible to pick Tariq.
India's struggles against the spin in the first two games, coupled with spin-friendly conditions in Colombo, make Tariq a major threat for the Indian batters in the February 15 clash.
The defending champions got some taste of unorthodox bowling action in their clash against Namibia, whose captain Gerhard Erasmus troubled the Indian batters by employing a similar sling-arm action to claim four wickets for just 20 runs in 16 deliveries.
If India struggled against a part-timer, facing Tariq looks like a more challenging task for Suryakumar Yadav's men.
Ashwin floats a shrewd tactic to counter Tariq
However, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who also used to pause at the crease, believes he has a solution to tackle Tariq.
Speaking on his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin floated a clever idea, which he believes is well within the laws of the game. Ashwin, while daring the Indian batters to adopt the shrewd strategy, said that a batter has the right to pull away if Tariq pauses, because he cannot anticipate the moment of release.
"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,'" he explained.
If Indian batters employ the tactic as suggested by Ashwin, it would possibly pressurise the umpire, who might warn the bowler to avoid the stoppages.
That could have a psychological effect on the Pakistan team, which wouldn't want its trump card to get unsettled in the all-important Group A clash.
Only time will tell if India will attempt such a move to unsettle the unconventional off-spinner, who will come into the match on Sunday on the back of a three-wicket haul against the USA.
