An extraordinary turn of fate occurred during this period 2026 T20 World Cup, PakistanThe latest “Mystery Spinner” Usman Tariq has become a major tactical threat, especially with IndiaBut his international journey has a surprising connection with an Indian legend. While the 28-year-old off-spinner is currently confusing batsmen with his unorthodox stop-start action, he credits his career comeback to MS Dhoni.

Revealed: Pakistan’s secret weapon against India – Usman Tariq’s surprising link with MS Dhoni

Usman’s connection with Dhoni was not personal mentoring but profound inspiration through cinema. In 2016, a frustrated Tariq essentially quit cricket after being repeatedly snubbed in Pakistan’s domestic circuit. He moved to Dubai and worked hard as a salesman and logistics officer in a procurement company to support his family.

The turning point came when he watched the biopic “MS Dhoni: The Untold Story.” Tariq reportedly saw himself in Dhoni’s struggles as a temporary technician in Kharagpur, balancing the monotony of a nine-to-five job with a burning desire to serve the country.

“I left the game after not being selected and started working as a salesman in a purchasing company in Dubai. One day, I watched MS Dhoni: The Untold Story and it inspired me a lot. I quit my job and came back to Pakistan to pursue cricket again.” Tariq recently revealed in an interview with Telecom Sports Asia in 2025. This cinematic moment of truth brought him back to the Nets, where he eventually developed the unique shooting motion that has made him a household name now.

Pakistan’s Usman Tariq says he was inspired to try cricket again by the train scene in MS Dhoni: The Untold Story. pic.twitter.com/ynyNXcVtIe

— Raghav February 6, 2026

Also read: ‘They are under extra pressure’: Usman Tariq reveals his bowling plans ahead of Pakistan’s 2026 T20 World Cup against India

T20 World Cup 2026: ‘Chucking’ controversy and Ravichnadran Ashwin’s support

In the ongoing T20 World Cup, Tariq has lived up to his ‘X-factor’ tag and recently took 3/27 to help Pakistan defeat USA February 10th. However, his success has been overshadowed by the intense scrutiny of his bowling action, which is characterized by a dramatic, nearly two-second pause at the crease before a side-arm release.

The debate has reached a fever pitch following Australia’s decision Cameron Green A series of recent events have called into question the legality of the action. While social media trolls labeled the move “illegal,” Tariq found an unexpected ally in India’s military veterans Ravichandran Ashwin.

• Ashwin’s defense: Ashwin took to X (formerly Twitter) to support the Pakistan spinner, arguing that if batsmen are allowed to switch and reverse sweep without warning, then bowlers should be allowed to have their own “quirks” as long as they stay within the 15-degree elbow extension limit.

Well, let me be as clear as possible. Firstly, the legality of his action can only be tested at the ICC Bowling Action Test Centre.

Secondly, there is a 15° rule, according to which the bowler needs to keep the elbow and straighten to judge whether the bowler is delivering the ball within… pic.twitter.com/RbTkY6xJ3h

— Ashwin🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 11, 2026

• Medical condition: Tariq clarified that he was born with a unique right elbow with “two horns” that creates the optical illusion of being curved, which is actually a biological deformity similar to the legendary Muttiya Muralitharan.

Usman Tariq is educating the illiterate. pic.twitter.com/NxrUDBmt66

— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) February 11, 2026

Tariq has passed the biomechanical test in Lahore and he will be Pakistan’s main weapon in their upcoming blockbuster clash against India in Colombo on February 15.

Also read: Is Usman Tariq’s bowling action legal? Breaking the suspension controversy