Cricket’s rulebook is under scrutiny as R Ashwin champions Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq against accusations of an illegal action. The Indian off-spinner’s measured defense has fueled discussions on fairness in the game.
Triggering the storm was Srivatsa Goswami’s viral X rant, drawing parallels to football’s anti-pause penalty rule. ‘Can’t stop in football run-ups anymore. How’s Tariq’s pre-delivery halt fine? Time to stop this,’ he demanded.
Ashwin’s rebuttal was sharp: ‘True for football, but batters switch stances mid-innings without notice. Bowler arm-switches are forbidden—fix inconsistencies first.’ Criticism poured in, leading to Ashwin’s lucid clarification.
‘ICC panels alone validate actions. On-field calls ignore the 15-degree elbow allowance, needing instant replay tech. His run-up pause is routine and legal—no accusations warranted,’ Ashwin posted.
Fresh off a starring role with three wickets versus the USA, Tariq faces doubts about his action’s elbow flex and run-up quirks holding up in ICC tests or T20 leagues. Ashwin’s stance spotlights deeper issues: why do bowlers bear the brunt of scrutiny while batters innovate freely? As debates rage, this episode could prompt rule reviews for a level playing field.