The Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav recently opened up about Usman Tariq, the centre point sensation in this upcoming clash.

Pakistan’s mystery spinner Usman Tariq is main attention point before the India–Pakistan T20 World Cup clash in Colombo. India has never faced him before. Many believe he could be Pakistan’s trump card on spin-friendly tracks.

Tariq has played only four T20Is. Yet he has already created buzz. His wickets stand out. His brief pause before release has triggered debate across cricket circles.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav is not concerned. “If you get an out-of-syllabus question in an exam, you don’t leave it,” Suryakumar said at the pre-match press conference. “You try to answer it. That’s what we will do.”

He made it clear that preparation has been thorough. “It’s not that we haven’t practised against bowlers with unusual actions,” he said. “We will plan and practise accordingly.”

Tariq’s T20 numbers are impressive. He has 70 wickets in 42 matches. His average is under 16. His economy rate is below seven. Those figures explain Pakistan’s confidence in him.

His action, however, continues to divide opinion. Former players and even ex-umpires have questioned the pause at the crease. The debate has only added spice to the contest.

Veteran India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin offered a cheeky counter idea on his YouTube show.

“If Tariq pauses before delivery, the batter can move away,” Ashwin said. “The batter can say, ‘I don’t know when the ball is coming, so I stepped away.’ Who dares to do that?”

It was a tactical suggestion. It was also legal. And it added another subplot to an already charged rivalry.

With pressure building and rain also threatening, the stage is set. Tariq brings intrigue. India, if Suryakumar’s words are any indication, are ready for every challenge syllabus or not.