In the high-octane theater of an India-Pakistan clash, few things capture the imagination like a "mystery" bowler. For the T20 World Cup 2026 encounter in Colombo, that mystery was Usman Tariq.

With a bowling action that looks more like a glitch in a video game than a standard delivery stride, Tariq had the cricketing world talking. Winadda But while most batters were getting caught in the "pause," India captain Suryakumar Yadav provided a masterclass in how to dismantle the unorthodox with nothing but absolute stillness.

The "Out-of-Syllabus" Question

On the eve of the match, Suryakumar Yadav famously compared facing Usman Tariq to an "out-of-syllabus question" in an exam.

Tariq’s action is a nightmare for a batter’s rhythm. He runs in diagonally, stutters, and then—just as the batter expects the release—he pauses. His left leg dangles in the air, his eyes fixed on the batter, waiting for the slightest twitch, a pre-determined shuffle, or a dip of the shoulder. He uses the pause to read the batter and adjust his length or variation (carrom ball, googly, or off-break) at the very last microsecond.

The Mimicry: Preparing for the Storm

Surya’s preparation was as unique as the challenge. During India’s practice sessions at the R. Premadasa Stadium, viral clips showed the Indian captain perfectly mimicking Tariq’s stop-start action while bowling to his teammates.

By imitating the pause himself, Surya wasn't just entertaining the crowd; he was deconstructing the mechanics of the delivery. He understood that the pause wasn't just a physical delay—it was a psychological trap designed to force the batter into making the first move.

The Masterclass: Stillness vs. The Pause

When the two finally faced off during the 10th over of the Indian innings, the atmosphere was electric. The pitch was sluggish, the ball was gripping, and Tariq was looking to suffocate the Indian middle order.

Here is how SKY blunted the weapon:

1. Eliminating the Twitch

Most batters, when faced with Tariq’s elongated pause, tend to get "twitchy." They move their feet too early or commit to a shot before the ball has even left the hand. Against Tariq at Over 10.1, Surya remained statuesque. He stood in his slightly open stance, bat raised, and did not move an inch. By refusing to give any "cues," he stripped Tariq of his primary advantage—the ability to react to the batter’s movement.

2. Delaying the Position

Surya waited until the ball was practically landing before he made his move. It was a battle of patience. While Tariq made the world wait, Surya made Tariq wait. Only when the trajectory was undeniable did Surya execute a quick side-shuffle, keeping his body open and punching the ball through the gap between deep midwicket and long-on.

3. The "Miandad" Shovel

In a display of supreme control, Surya used his open stance to "shovel" Tariq’s variations into pockets of space. He didn't try to over-power the ball—which is often what Tariq wants, as his sidearm release makes it easy to mistime a big hit. Instead, SKY used surgical placement, turning what would usually be a single into a boundary through elite wrist-work.

The Result: A Tactical Victory

While Tariq did eventually get his man in the 19th over—as Surya had to go for a big slog on a slow pitch—the damage had been done. Surya’s 32 off 29 balls might look modest on a scorecard, but in the context of a sluggish Colombo deck against a bowler who had previously gone for less than six an over, it was a tactical triumph.

By staying still, Suryakumar Yadav showed that the best way to answer an "out-of-syllabus" question isn't to guess the answer, but to go back to the most fundamental rule of batting: Watch the ball, and wait for it to come to you.

In the duel between the "infamous pause" and the "captain’s stillness," it was the stillness that spoke the loudest.