Bodyline Bowling Explained: Why Irfan Pathan's Tweet For Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Backfired

The father in Irfan Pathan, the former Indian cricketer turned commentator, took strong objection to the bodyline bowling directed at the 15-year-old cricket sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, during the Qualifier 2 IPL Playoff between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals on Friday night. Batting first, Rajasthan rode on Sooryavanshi’s 96 off 47 deliveries as they posted 214/6 in their 20 overs at the Maharaja Singh PCA Stadium. Gujarat Titans chased down the target with ease as captain Shubman Gill posted a spectacular century to lead his side to a roaring 7-wicket victory.

However, during the contest, Pathan raised his voice on X (formerly Twitter), flagging the bowling style Sooryavanshi was facing and highlighting that he was all of 15 years

old to endure such an attack.

Irfan Pathan’s Tweet Goes Viral

Taking to his X account, Pathan wrote: “Body line bowling to stop 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi does not fit well with me. I know he is playing against the big boys, but the father in me does not agree with that.”

Body line bowling to stop 15 years old Vaibhav Suryavanshi doesn’t fit well with me.

I know he is playing against the big boys but the father in me doesn’t agree with that.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 29, 2026

His displeasure came after the 14th over of the first innings when a short-pitched delivery from Kagiso Rabada slammed into Sooryavnashi’s head. The prodigy underwent a concussion test and continued with his exploits.

What Is Bodyline Bowling?

Bodyline bowling is a deliberate and aggressive type of bowling known as the “fast leg theory bowling” that was first noticed during the 1932-33 Ashes series. The controversial tactic was used by England bowlers who attacked the Australian batter’s body instead of aiming for the stumps. It was devised by England captain Douglas Jardine, who instructed his bowler, Harold Larwood, to use the tactic against the legendary Don Bradman, who either had to take body blows or risk getting caught by the leg-side field.

Also Read: Why Fevicol Trended During GT vs RR Qualifier 2: IPL Meme Explained

Such was the outrage after this incident that fresh laws were introduced in cricket. Law 41 of the MCC Laws of Cricket now prohibits bowlers from bowling persistent short-pitched deliveries only aimed at a batter’s body. Umpires, who sense that the batter may be in harm, can issue warnings to the offending bowler. The bowler could also be taken off or banned based on the severity and intent of the offence.

41.6.1 “The bowling of short pitched deliveries is dangerous if the bowler’s end umpire considers that, taking into
consideration the skill of the striker, by their speed, length, height and direction they are likely to inflict physical injury on him/her. The fact that the striker is wearing protective equipment shall be disregarded.”

41.6.3 “As soon as the umpire decides that the bowling of short pitched deliveries has become dangerous under 41.6.1, or unfair under 41.6.2, he/she shall call and signal No ball. When the ball is dead, the umpire shall caution the bowler, indicating that this is a first and final warning, and inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding side and the batters of what has occurred.”

How Did People React To Irfan Pathan

While reactors understood where Pathan’s deeply emotional, tiny outburst came from, the IPL viewers did not particularly agree with the commentator’s obvious bias towards the cricketer only because he was “too young” for it. The online voices felt it was uncompetitive talk, completely forgetting Sooryavanshi’s breakthrough IPL season, where he treated no bowler with mercy and plundered 776 runs in 16 matches.

“Brother it’s a freaking IPL knockout game, not legends league charity games. They’re already getting humiliated by him day in and day out and these guys don’t want them to try something in rules to stop him (sic),” an X user commented in response to Pathan’s tweet.

“If you’re good enough, you’re old enough,” wrote @ErikaMorris79.

Another hit back with the hefty salary the cricketer had bagged in the Rajasthan Royals camp. “A 15 year old is getting 1.10 crore as his IPL salary . Does the father in you agree to give such a big sum to a small kid (sic).”

It was only fair, wrote a fourth user. “He is professional.. Bowlers will come at him. Same way he is smashing them for sixes (sic).”