Ravichandran Ashwin exposes anti-Usman Tariq plan, but claims India batters lack courage
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The recent struggle of Indian batters against spinners has only hyped up the tension around Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq. However, Ravichandran Ashwin feels that he has a solution on how to tackle the spinner Tariq.
The match will be played at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, which offers the best spinning track in the subcontinent, and Pakistan, with five standout spinners, will be the heavyweights in the clash against India.
"That pause is part of his normal action" - Ravichandran Ashwin on Usman Tariq's pause
Several players have gone on to demand a possible ban on the Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq for having a controversial bowling action. He is known to have a bent-arm, sling-arm, pause-and-deliver bowling action, which has turned him into an asset for them on the spin-friendly tracks in Colombo.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, 'Ash ki Baat,' the legendary Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has clarified that the pause in Usman Tariq's bowling stride is well within the laws, since that is his established bowling action.
"If I have a normal bowling action but suddenly pause and deliver the final ball in the over, that was ruled illegal a few years ago because that is against the natural rhythm of my bowling action. The umpire can warn me. For Tariq, the case is different. That pause is part of his normal action," he assured.
Ashwin hands India a 'magic mantra' to unsettle the Pakistan spinner
Ravichandran Ashwin has dropped the ideal way to counter the Pakistani off-spinner, who was stunning for Pakistan in every game he has played in the shortest format of the game. He floated a shrewd tactic, mentioning the loopholes in the rules of the game.
He explained that the batter is entitled to pull away when Tariq pauses midway through the stride, complaining that they could not predict their 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 said.
"I doubt any of the Indian batters have it in them to pull it off" - stated Ashwin
Though he suggested that the Indian batters would employ that tactic and that it would compel the umpire to warn the bowler. However, he also admitted at the same time that he was unsure whether any Indian batter would attempt to pull off such a move.
"That will be an interesting case and a huge headache for the umpire. See, I'm not against anyone. If I was there, I would have done that. I would have done everything that is within the laws of the game," Ashwin plotted. He also claimed that in such a situation, as per the history of the game, the umpire would pick to warn the bowler first.
"If the batter starts withdrawing, imagine the pressure on Tariq. He might have to alter his action in the middle of the game. Pakistan's trump card might turn out to be nothing," added Ravichandran Ashwin, however, he also established that the umpires could also ask the batter to face it since it is part of their common stride.
"But I doubt any of the Indian batters have it in them to pull it off. I'm not sure," Ravichandran Ashwin concluded.
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India National Cricket Team Pakistan National Cricket Team Usman Tariq Ravichandran Ashwin India vs Pakistan ICC T20 World CupAbout the Author
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