PSL 2026: ‘The batter has every right to move’ – R Ashwin takes Daryl Mitchell’s corner in Usman Tariq controversy

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Daryl Mitchell did nothing wrong against Usman Tariq during their Pakistan Super League (PSL) game on Friday, April 10.

During Quetta Gladiators’ game against Rawalpindiz, Mitchell was facing Tariq in the ninth over of their run chase. The spinner is renowned for his unique bowling action, where he pauses before delivering the ball to the batter. The New Zealand international, however, was not having any of it and pulled out of his stance twice during the infamous pause. This eventually caused the umpire to intervene.

Ashwin shared his thoughts on the incident, claiming that if the timing between the pause and delivery of the ball is not consistent, then the batter has every right to pull out, something he praised Mitchell for doing. 

“Now it’s upto the umpires and match referees to time the pause for his delivery. If the pause isn’t consistent, then the batter has every right to move away. The captains & opposition batters should raise this issue with the umpires and match referees before the game begins. Well done Mitchell,” the former India spinner tweeted on X (formerly Twitter).

Ashwin later clarified his take and stated that both Mitchell and Tariq are right in their own way. However, it is the match official’s responsibility to check the timing during the pauses.

“Mitchell is right. So is Tariq. The timing of the pause should be timed to see if he delays it ball to ball,” he added in another tweet in response to a fan.

The Quetta Gladiators secured a convincing 61-run victory in Karachi after bundling Rawalpindiz for just 121. Mitchell did not have the best of times with the bat, scoring 30 off 32 deliveries. Tariq, on the other hand, took two wickets whilst conceding just 23 runs from his quota of four overs. 

The win takes Quetta Gladiators to fifth in the standings, and they now have two wins from their first five games. Rawalpindiz, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win.