Legal? Sure. Lethal? Not really. Gavaskar reacts to Usman Tariq bowling action buzz

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar played down the threat posed by Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq, saying Indian batters are unlikely to face major trouble against the mystery spinner in their ICC Men's T20 World Cup group clash in Colombo.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has dismissed the growing debate around Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq's bowling action, stating that there is nothing illegal about it and while adding that Indian batters are unlikely to be overly troubled in their ICC Men's T20 World Cup group clash in Colombo.

Tariq, 28, has played four T20 Internationals so far, picking up 11 wickets at an impressive economy rate of under six runs per over. His stop-and-pause action has generated intense discussion in cricketing circles ahead of the marquee India-Pakistan clash.

The off-spinner's unusual method has drawn comparisons with Sri Lanka legend Muttiah Muralitharan, largely due to his hypermobile elbow, which prevents him from fully straightening his arm. The pause in his delivery stride has split opinion, with former England captain Kevin Pietersen questioning its legality, while Ravichandran Ashwin has taken a contradictory view.

"I haven't really seen it properly, apart from a few glimpses on television, which is not always the best thing to, to see, but, look, there is no law against the bowler stopping and delivering the ball, just like there is no law to say to the batter you can't move before the bowler delivers the ball. So I don't think, you know, I mean, these are, these are, you know, comments made by people who do not, do not actually know the rules of the game," Gavaskar told India Today.

He further added: "I think some of these comments are coming from people who do not fully understand the rules of the game. There is nothing to be concerned about. From what I saw at the recent practise session that you were around, the Pakistani batters had no problems playing him, so I don't see the Indian batters having too many problems playing him."

Gavaskar also played down the notion that Tariq's action makes him a significant tactical threat. "Not really. In T20 cricket, they are going to look after going after a particular bowler, and I think here it was more than the mystery of the bowler, it was the shot selection that got some of the batters out. So I don't think it is too much of an issue. I think looking to play across the line, if you miss, you're going to be bowled or out. Every time you look to hit more straighter, then you're more likely to get some bat on it," he added.