Captain of Team India, Suryakumar Yadav, was recently seen mimicking the bowling style of Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq during practice sessions in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 match at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 15.

Usman Tariq's bowling technique has sparked discussions regarding its legality, particularly his stop-start spin and sidearm delivery. However, Pakistan's captain, Salman Ali Agha, has confirmed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has cleared Tariq, making him a significant challenge for India in the forthcoming match.

Since making his T20I debut against South Africa last November, Tariq has faced scrutiny for his unconventional bowling style, especially after being accused of 'chucking' by Cameron Green during the T20I series against Australia. Despite these claims, the ICC has not imposed any sanctions, and Tariq continues to be recognized as a legal bowler.

Suryakumar's Strategy to Counter Tariq's Bowling

In anticipation of the crucial T20 World Cup encounter, Suryakumar Yadav has been training his teammates to tackle Usman Tariq's unique bowling style. He even demonstrated Tariq's distinctive stop-start spin and sidearm action during practice.

A viral video on social media shows Yadav bowling in Tariq's style to players like Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, and Ishan Kishan, helping them familiarize themselves with Tariq's variations and adjust their footwork accordingly.

As the Indian squad prepares to face Tariq for the first time in international cricket, Suryakumar's practice sessions provide a valuable opportunity for the batters to adapt to the spinner's quirks. They previously encountered a similar bowling style from Namibia's Gerhard Erasmus, who also utilized an unusual side-arm action.

Facing the Challenge: Suryakumar's Insights

During a press conference before the match against Pakistan, Suryakumar Yadav addressed questions regarding Usman Tariq's unconventional bowling. He emphasized that the team cannot overlook such challenges and has prepared thoroughly for them.

Responding to a question from a Pakistani journalist about dealing with 'out-of-syllabus' bowling, Suryakumar remarked that ignoring such challenges is not an option. He stated, "Sometimes there is a question in the exam as well, which is out of the syllabus. So, we can't leave that question. To tackle that, you have to try something. You have to adopt your own way. And we try the same way."

He acknowledged Tariq's unique bowling style but insisted that the team would not back down. "We practice with similar types of bowlers and with similar actions. And we will try to execute what we are practicing in the net sessions during the match," he added.

In his T20I career, Usman Tariq has taken 11 wickets, including a four-wicket haul, with an impressive average of 7.90 and an economy rate of 5.93 across four matches.