Colombo, February 15, 2026 (Udaipur Kiran): Ahead of the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan match at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was seen trying his hand at bowling during the team’s net session — imitating Pakistan’s Usman Tariq.
As Team India stepped out for practice on Saturday, Suryakumar briefly took the ball and copied Tariq’s distinctive “pause and side-on” bowling action. He bowled a few deliveries to Rinku Singh in the nets, drawing attention for the light-hearted imitation. The video of the moment has since gone viral on social media.
Saturday’s practice session was slightly disrupted by rain. There is also a forecast of showers around match time on February 15. While fans are hoping for a full game, the mood in the Indian camp appears relaxed. Suryakumar’s imitation suggested there is no visible concern about Tariq’s action, as it seemed more like a fun exercise rather than a serious tactical drill.
In positive news for India, Abhishek Sharma has regained fitness and spent considerable time batting in the nets. Captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that he will be available for selection against Pakistan, which means Sanju Samson may have to sit out.
A key selection question remains whether Kuldeep Yadav will replace Arshdeep Singh in the playing XI. Colombo’s pitch has traditionally supported spinners, and the same surface earlier hosted the Australia vs Zimbabwe match, which Zimbabwe won.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, speaking to PTI, praised Usman Tariq’s bowling. He said he had watched Tariq in the ILT20, where he emerged as one of the standout bowlers and earned ‘Man of the Match’ awards in crucial games like the semi-final and final.
Harbhajan noted that Tariq is different from other spinners and possesses multiple variations. He added that while many talk about Tariq’s “stand and deliver” action, it is not easy to execute effectively. According to him, on bigger grounds and slower pitches, Tariq can be difficult to hit due to his variations.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
