‘He’s a regular off-spinner’- Sourav Ganguly on Usman Tariq:Ex-cricketer feels India will field same playing XI vs Pakistan

Former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly said that Usman Tariq is ‘just a regular off-spinner’ amid the buzz around him before the India vs Pakistan match. The cricket world has witnessed a ‘chucking’ debate in recent times, with the Pakistan spinner’s bowling action, which comes with a pause, being the talking point. Several former cricketers have stepped into the debate, with some defending the Pakistan spinner and others questioning it. India and Pakistan are set to lock horns in what is expected to be a blockbuster clash on 15 February in Colombo. Sourav Ganguly says Usman Tariq is a ‘regular off-spinner’ Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the England vs South Africa match, Ganguly said that Tariq is a regular off-spinner and tackling him should not be difficult. “No, facing him would not be difficult. He is a regular off-spinner. He just pauses a bit before bowling. Otherwise, he is an out-and-out off-spinner. India will play well,” he said. Weighing in on who has the upper hand in the India vs Pakistan clash, Ganguly said, “Making predictions in T20 cricket is difficult. India are a good team and will not be easy to defeat.” Also read: ‘Wait for 24 hours,’ Suryakumar, Salman tight-lipped on handshake: Indian captain says Abhishek Sharma will play against Pakistan Will India make changes to their playing XI? Sourav Ganguly doesn’t think so There have also been speculations if India would make changes to their playing XI against Pakistan. The match is set to be played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, a track which generally assists spin bowlers. When asked if India would make changes to their playing XI, by bringing in Kuldeep Yadav in place of Rinku Singh, he said, “I think the same team will play. I don’t think so (if Rinku would be dropped for Kuldeep), as there is also a question of maintaining batting balance.” “Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma are spin-bowling options in the top order. I think the same team will play against Pakistan,” added the former captain. On India’s misfiring batting order India have had two wins in two matches so far, but the batting order has not fired as a whole. In the first match, captain Suryakumar Yadav dug India out from 77/6 to 161. Against Namibia, it was half-centuries from Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya who struck fifties to take India to a solid total. When asked if he is concerned with India’s misfiring batting order, Ganguly said, “In 20 overs, you need one or two batters to fire. India have won 25 out of their last 26 T20Is. India will play well.” On the gulf between India and Pakistan India and Pakistan once enjoyed a competitive cricketing rivalry. But over time, the contest between these two teams has become increasingly one-sided, with India dominating Pakistan. The Asia Cup 2025 tournament is an example as India defeated Pakistan three times, including the final. When asked why the gulf between India and Pakistan’s cricket has increased, Ganguly opined, “Pakistan have fallen behind in the quality of batsmanship. In our times, we had Inzamam, Saeed Anwar, Mohammad Yusuf and also the Wasim Akram and Waqar Younus duo. It was a different team.” Aaron Finch backs Usman Tariq, says Steve Smith will be added to Oz squad Australia’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Aaron Finch has joined in the debate on Tariq, backing the Pakistan spinner and said that he did not find any issue with the ‘pause’ in action. The former cricketer also added that there should be no controversy as the ICC has cleared Tariq’s action. “As long as the arm is above horizontal, then I think it’s an absolutely fair game. The ability for players to continue evolving in the game, and not just turn into bowling machines, is really important. And it’s one that guys have to keep pushing their limits. As long as it’s within the law, then good on him for trying something different,” he said during a media interaction. “The big pause in the action, I don’t have any issue with that. It’s just a part of the game that you have to adapt to if you’re a batter. So, game on,” he added. Finch also felt that Steve Smith could be added to Australia’s squad, given the 2021 champions have not named a replacement for injured Josh Hazlewood. Australia, on 13 February, suffered a shock loss to Australia. “I think that he will be added to the squad. They’ve still got the one spot available, which they placed when Josh Hazlewood was ruled out. And they were just waiting to see how the guys bounced back from injury and how the bowling was performing. So, they’ve got the flexibility there,” he said.