Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on the debate surrounding Usman Tariq’s bowling action, arguing that only formal testing at an International Cricket Council (ICC) center can determine whether the action is legal.
Ashwin said on-field umpires cannot accurately judge whether a bowler exceeds the permitted 15-degree elbow extension limit, calling it “impossible” to assess in real time. He suggested that the only practical solution would be a real-time in-competition testing tool to objectively measure compliance with ICC regulations.
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‘Grey area’ in bowling regulations
According to Ashwin, the interpretation of bowling actions remains a grey area within cricket’s laws. He said it would be unfair to accuse a bowler of wrongdoing for operating within technical ambiguities unless scientific testing proves otherwise.
He also addressed concerns about the bowler’s pause at the crease, stating that if the pause is part of a regular and repeatable action, it should be considered legal under current rules.
Calls for rule parity between batters and bowlers
Ashwin further questioned why certain restrictions apply only to bowlers. He noted that a batter is allowed to switch-hit or reverse stance without informing the umpire or bowler, whereas a bowler must inform the umpire before changing the arm used to deliver the ball.
He argued that if discussions about legality are to be consistent, cricket’s regulations should ensure balanced treatment between batters and bowlers.
The remarks add to an ongoing debate about bowling action scrutiny, technological intervention, and rule interpretation in modern cricket.
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