Ahead of IND vs PAK Clash, Suryakumar Yadav Mimics Usman Tariq, Video Goes Viral

Colombo: Just before the big match between India and Pakistan in the group stage of ICC T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday, a funny and viral moment was seen in the preparation of the Indian team. Captain Suryakumar Yadav copied the unique bowling action of Pakistani mystery spinner Usman Tariq during net practice at R. Premadasa Stadium.

What's Showing in the Video?

In the video, Suryakumar holds the ball, takes a pause in his delivery stride like Tariq, stops his legs in the air and then throws the ball in side-on style. The clip quickly spread across ICC, Star Sports and social media, where fans are considering it as a symbol of the team's smart preparation and lighthearted mood. In this rain-affected session, Suryakumar tried to introduce batsmen like Abhishek Sharma and Rinku Singh to the style of Tariq, who is considered to be Pakistan's big 'X-factor' in the match.

What is special about Usman Tariq's bowling?

28-year-old Pakistani off-spinner Usman Tariq has a unique action. They take a pause during the delivery, where their leg stops in the air and then throw the ball with a sidearm release. This style spoils the batsmen's timing, especially on slow and spin-friendly pitches. He has performed impressively in the tournament so far, which includes 3 wickets against America. There was controversy over his action at first, but the ICC declared it valid after investigating twice. Tariq has said that he has hypermobility in his elbow, which does not straighten completely, but this is part of his natural style.

Why did Suryakumar call Tariq 'out of syllabus'?

In the press conference, Suryakumar linked facing Tariq to a question outside the exam syllabus. He said that such questions should not be left aside but should be answered. The team will not surrender but is practicing with bowlers with similar actions in the nets. Suryakumar himself prepared the batsmen by copying, which is a great example of captaincy. Abhishek Sharma, who had missed the earlier matches, is now fit and looking aggressive against spin.

What will be the role of spinners on the Colombo pitch?

R. The pitch at Premadasa Stadium is considered spin-friendly, especially given the surface used. There is a slow pace and turn here, which can be beneficial for bowlers like Tariq. India focused on spin drills, which also included practicing against their own spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy. Tariq's role is important for Pakistan, but India is considering it as a challenge and moving forward.

What is the reaction of Pakistani team and media?

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Aga supported Tariq and said that the ICC has cleared him, so why is there a fuss? Tariq is said to be inspired by MS Dhoni. This is being seen as India's 'concern' in Pakistani media, but no official player statement has come. This incident is giving rise to psychological warfare between the two teams.

Why is this video going so viral on social media?

This video shared on ICC and various cricket handles has garnered millions of views. Fans are calling it funny, some called it 'cinema,' while some are trolling Tariq's action. It is trending on Instagram, X and TikTok, which is further increasing the hype of the match.

What effect can this preparation have on the match?

This smart preparation can give India an advantage, as the team wants to avoid surprises. But the final impact will depend on the pitch, weather and Tariq's performance. Sunday's match is decisive for both the teams, where spin can prove to be a big factor. This action of Suryakumar shows the confidence and strong mentality of the team.