Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has come out in support of Daryl Mitchell After concern over the New Zealand batsman Usman TariqAbnormal delivery interval during Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 clash in Karachi.The incident occurred during a match between Quetta Gladiators and Rawalpindi, where Mitchell was dismissed twice while facing Tariq, clearly uncomfortable with the bowler’s stop-start action. During the ninth over at the National Stadium, Mitchell initially played a paddle-sweep but soon looked troubled by Tariq’s late release. As the over progressed, he was struck twice in mid-delivery, indicating a break in the bowler’s action.The repeated interruptions prompted the on-field umpires to intervene and have a brief conversation with the batsman before allowing play to continue. Mitchell was later dismissed, caught and bowled by Saud Shakeel, as Rawalpindi suffered a heavy defeat by 61 runs.Ashwin’s Opinion: “Batsmen have every right”Ashwin, who has previously spoken about such tactics on his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat, reiterated that batsmen are within their rights to back off if they feel the bowler’s actions disrupt the timing.“Now it is up to the umpires and match referees to time his delivery. If the interval is not continuous, the batsman has every right to walk away. Captains and opposition batsmen should raise the issue with the umpires and match referees before the start of play. Well done, Mitchell,” Ashwin wrote.Interestingly, Ashwin had previously suggested this exact approach, encouraging the batsmen to move away, forcing the umpires to call a dead ball and thereby neutralizing any advantage gained by bowling irregularities. Tariq’s act has been under scrutiny for some time due to its distinct hiatus before its release, followed by a lackluster follow-through. While he has been reported for suspicious activity twice in the past, he has been cleared on both occasions.
