“Change the switch hit rule first” - Ravi Ashwin involves in a heated exchange with former Indian cricketer over Usman Tariq’s bowling action

Former Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin and former Indian keeper-batter Shreevats Goswami were involved in a heated conversation on X (Formerly Twitter) over Pakistan off-spinner Usman Tariq’s pause-and-deliver bowling action.

Tariq, who is currently taking part in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, has grabbed the limelight over his controversial bowling action during the match against the USA in Colombo on Tuesday, February 10.

On social media, the cricketing fraternity went on to term the spinner a ‘chucker’ for his side-arm bowling action, and some of them went on to question his distinctive pause-and-deliver action. Interestingly, this is not the first time the off-spinner has involved in such a controversy. 

During Australia’s tour of Pakistan in a three-match T20I series earlier this year, all-rounder Cameron Green appeared to mock Tariq’s action after being dismissed. However, Tariq was cleared by the ICC twice last year.

Shreevatas Goswami & Ashwin’s conversation on X

"Even football doesn’t allow players to pause during a penalty run-up anymore. How is this ok? Action - all good. But pause ? That too while loading to deliver. This can’t be continued seriously!” Goswami tweeted.

https://x.com/shreevats1/status/2021260274133569794 

"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,” Ashwin responded.

https://x.com/ashwinravi99/status/2021398125785886782 

"Reverse sweep was first played in 1964 and it’s still debatable ? Ok. We are talking about the 'pause ' here. 'PAUSE '. A batter doesn't take stance, look away, pause & then reset before the ball is delivered. He/she is absolutely ready for whatever the bowler has to offer. Let’s not make this bowler vs batter. It’s the PAUSE. If 1 sec pause is ok, then 2 is too , then 10 is too,” the former keeper tweeted.

"Cricket is a game of continuity. Pause breaks the rhythm of the game & if you look closely. He kind of 'bends his arms' when he bowls the faster one. Hopefully the ICC finds clarity before this becomes the next grey area,” Goswami added.

https://x.com/shreevats1/status/2021434684333490332 

“Okay, let me make it as clear as possible. Firstly, the legalities of his action can only be tested at an ICC bowling action testing Centre. Secondly, there is a 15° rule under which a bowler needs to keep his elbow and straighten it  and to judge if a bowler is bowling within that 15° mark by the onfield Umpire is impossible. The only solution to that is having a real time in competition testing tool. The above is a grey area and to accuse someone for utilising the grey area is wrong. Finally, if the pause at the crease is legal or not, and that’s where I believe that it is entirely legal because that is his regular action,” Ashwin posted on X.

https://x.com/ashwinravi99/status/2021439675630748078

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