Ravichandran Ashwin turns ‘Pakistani sympathiser’, shields Usman Tariq from RCB star’s attack
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On the recent fiasco surrounding Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq, a post from Indian legend Ravichandran Ashwin backing the Pakistan spinner has shocked all. However, it seems that Ravichandran Ashwin was more swept away by his true emotions of being a bowler than by being an Indian; hence, his remarks were sided towards the bowling fraternity and not particularly towards Tariq.
Pakistan wanted a spin-heavy attack coming into the ICC T20 World Cup, and hence, head coach Mike Hessen spent months looking to create a perfect spin deck. Sudden Pakistan sensation Usman Tariq was identified as a unique spinner and picked from the scraps of the PSL and ILT20 leagues.
Tariq is an off-spinner with a very unique action, which often troubles the batters to varying degrees. He made his international debut for Pakistan against South Africa in 2025 in Lahore, and soon after three games, he was picked as a member of the T20 World Cup squad.
Ravichandran Ashwin once again comes in defence of the Pakistani spinner
The spinner Usman Tariq has a very strange bowling action, where he shifts the momentum with a brief pause before releasing the ball. Many have cited this, as well as his arm action, to be discrepant. However, Ravichandran Ashwin, the legendary Indian spinner, has come forward to safeguard the new spin bowling sensation.
Former RCBian and Indian wicket-keeper batter Shreevats Goswami had sought the attention of the international board towards the illegal-looking bowling action of Pakistani spinner Usman Tariq. He said that pauses are no longer allowed even in football during penalty shootouts, so how could a pause during a bowler's run-up be allowed?
Ravichandran Ashwin did not seem pleased by the remark, as he spoke in defence of all the bowlers, who often claim not to be aided sufficiently by the rules of the game. He said:
"Agree, football doesn’t allow it! While the batter can be allowed to switch hit or reverse without informing the umpire or bowler, after him/her commits to start batting on one side, why are the restrictions only limited to the bowler?"
"In fact the bowler isn’t allowed to change the arm with which he/she bowls without informing the umpire! They should first change that rule," Ravichandran Ashwin added.
Agree football doesn’t allow it!
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 11, 2026
While the batter can be allowed to switch hit or reverse without informing the umpire or bowler, after him/her commits to start batting on one side, why are the restrictions only limited to the bowler?
In fact the bowler isn’t allowed to change… https://t.co/AOV4OKhwcL
"Chucking or not can only be clarified by the ICC testing centre," said Ravichandran Ashwin
The spinner, other than the long pause he takes before bowling a delivery, has also been found discrepant with his controversial arm action. Previously, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was first seen highlighting this as a major discrepancy.
Tariq has been suspected of chucking, a common allegation against bowlers in cricket, who are said to straighten their elbow more than 15 degrees during the delivery stride. This action is considered illegal by the ICC norms, as it provides an unfair amount of pace or spin on the ball.
To this, Ravichandran Ashwin's only remarks were that it is only a matter of time before that can be checked and verified by the ICC; until then, no one can be accused. "Chucking or not can only be clarified by the icc testing centre," Ashwin tweeted.
Chucking or not can only be clarified by the icc testing centre.
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 11, 2026
Usman Tariq - The new spin sensation from Pakistan
The off-spinner is a mystery in himself. With strange actions and even stranger release point, the Pakistan spinner often threatens the opposition batters with his variation and an invariable amount of bounce that he generates from the surface.
However, having played just 4 T20I games so far, the spinner has struck a record 11 times and has the best figures of 4/18 against Zimbabwe. His other bowling spells include a promising 2/26 on debut against South Africa, a 2/16 against Australia and 3/27 against the USA on a T20 World Cup debut.
He will be a major threat to the Indian side as well when they take on Pakistan on the spin-friendly track of the R.Premadasa Stadium.
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India National Cricket Team Pakistan National Cricket Team Ravichandran Ashwin Usman Tariq ICC T20 World Cup Australia vs Pakistan Shreevats Goswami Cameron GreenAbout the Author
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