Sourav Ganguly laughs off Usman Tariq’s hype and says he is not a threat to India

Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq has been the main topic of discussion during the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Usman Tariq’s unusual bowling action, with a clear break before the release, has created a stir among the fans and cricket fraternity across the world.

Sourav Ganguly backs Indian batters to tackle Usman Tariq with ease

Many believe Usman Tariq could trouble India on the turning track at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, February 15. But former India captain Sourav Ganguly is not impressed by the hype.

The former BCCI president has calmed the noise surrounding Tariq. The legendary cricketer believes that the spinner is just an off-spinner with a different style, and Indian batters have faced much stronger bowlers, so they won’t have much to worry about.

Also read: Suryakumar Yadav, once reported for suspicious action, becomes ‘India’s Usman Tariq’ before IND vs. PAK clash

Ganguly feels there is nothing mysterious about Usman Tariq and expects Indian players to be comfortable handling him.

Sourav Ganguly said in a video posted by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president: “Nothing is difficult; he (Tariq) is an off-spinner, and he just bowls with a break. He is a real off-spinner, and India will play him well.”

Sourav Ganguly is backing the same XI despite spin scare in Colombo

Meanwhile, there is a demand for changes in the Indian team due to Colombo’s spin-friendly pitch, but Ganguly does not want any experiments. The former Indian captain has backed the same combination to advance in the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup.

Many cricket experts called for Kuldeep Yadav to be brought in for additional spin support as the pitch in Colombo is expected to offer a lot of turns, but Ganguly believes the removal of Rinku Singh could weaken India’s batting depth. He believes that team balance is more important than panic selection.

Bumrah said, “Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh should be the frontline bowlers. I don’t think Rinku Singh should be replaced for Kuldeep Yadav as you have to ensure balance in the batting department as well. I feel the same team should be played.”

Also read: When was the last World Cup match between India and Pakistan without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma?

India leads the rivalry 13-3 against Pakistan

Both teams are going into the India vs Pakistan match with winning momentum. India and Pakistan have won their first two matches and are close to advancing to the Super 8 stage of the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup.

However, history backs the Men in Blue, who have defeated Pakistan eight times in a row across formats. In T20Is, India dominates the rivalry with a massive head-to-head record of 13-3.

Heavy showers will decide the fate of India versus Pakistan

Meanwhile, the big match at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium faces a serious rain threat. Weather reports show a huge 94% chance of rain on Sunday. Sri Lanka’s weather department has also warned of a low-pressure area over the southeastern Bay of Bengal.

This system could bring heavy showers to the city. If that happens, the match will be severely interrupted. There is no reserve day for this game. So if the rain completely washes it away, both teams will share the points. As a result, both teams ultimately qualify for the next round on Sunday itself.