World cricket’s concerted efforts to stamp out bowlers with suspect actions have always invited controversy and criticism. Muttiah Muralitharan, one of the game’s legends, was perennially under a cloud for his bowling action in the 1990s and 2000s. More recently, the careers of prolific off-spinners such as Saeed Ajmal and Sunil Narine have got jeopardised because they were deemed to have flexed their bowling arm too much.

On Wednesday, this club of bowlers had a surprise entrant – Shikhar Dhawan. The Indian cricketer was reported for suspect bowling action during the fourth Test match between India and South Africa in Delhi. According to an International Cricket Council press release, the match officials' report cited concerns about the legality of Dhawan's deliveries during the Test match that got over on Monday.

Unsurprisingly, the news was greeted with humour and sarcasm rather than anger. After all, Dhawan is known for his batting exploits. He has never bowled in limited overs cricket and has just nine overs to his name in Tests.

Late last week, as South Africa embarked on a blocking marathon to save the Delhi Test match, captain Virat Kohli invited his fellow Delhi-ite to chance his arm. As the video below shows, even Kohli was amused at the sight of Dhawan walking in to bowl.

As per regulations, Dhawan will undergo testing within 14 days and is permitted to continue bowling in international cricket till the results of the test are known.



Social media mockingly mourned the "loss" to the Indian bowling attack: