India’s spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has suggested a radical solution to the team’s recurring no-ball problem: introducing free-hits for overstepping in Test cricket. While the proposal acknowledges the severity of the issue, it highlights the frustration within the camp as India’s spinners continue to struggle with basic crease discipline. During the fourth day of the Colombo Test, the spin unit delivered five no-balls, bringing their match total to 10 and their series tally to 15—significantly higher than the five conceded by Sri Lanka.
Bahutule, who has been with the squad for less than three months, noted that while none of the recent no-balls resulted in a wicket, the pattern is unsustainable. “If you bowl a no-ball, there will be a consequence. I am no guardian of the rules but if it comes, obviously, they will definitely reduce,” he said. The current tally of 10 no-balls in the ongoing Test ranks as the third-most by a spin attack in a single match, and the team risks topping that list if they concede six more.
The issue extends beyond the current fixture. Data since the introduction of TV-adjudicated no-balls in late 2020 shows that Ravindra Jadeja is among the most frequent offenders in world cricket. Only Kagiso Rabada, Ben Stokes, and Jasprit Bumrah are the only players to have bowled more no-balls than Jadeja in that period. Remarkably, Jadeja bowled only 18 no-balls from his 2012 debut until the change in officiating protocols, but has overstepped 89 times since. Among spinners, he leads the next closest rival, Pakistan’s Noman Ali, by 49 no-balls.
The current series has seen Jadeja bowl eight no-balls, while Saransh Jain has recorded six. Manav Suthar contributed one, which occurred when he struck the stumps during his delivery stride. Bahutule emphasized that the coaching staff is actively addressing these technical errors. “It is not that we are ignoring it. It is definitely a concern at times, but generally when the bowler is putting in that effort, trying to see how he can create that opportunity and get the wicket in, in situations where wickets are not coming through, he has a tendency to push himself,” the coach explained.
To combat the trend, the team has implemented strict monitoring during net sessions. Coaches often stand at the side to act as umpires, ensuring bowlers maintain awareness of their take-off point. Despite these efforts, the transition to a younger, less experienced spin attack—featuring a debutant and a player in his third Test—has created challenges in maintaining consistency. The team is currently working on a formal process to minimize these errors.
Reflecting on the technical adjustments, Bahutule noted, “A lot of work has been put in making sure with Jadeja about where the take-off point is. Generally, they are good in the nets, but sometimes, as I have mentioned, the effort when they put in for that particular delivery is a bit more and they tend to overstep.” He remains confident that ongoing conversations and practice will rectify the issue, even in the absence of the punitive measures seen in white-ball cricket. The report also notes that and the numbers are beginning to warrant serious introspection, but India can’t quite seem to find that line. The report also notes that where Sri Lanka fought through grit and counter-attack to drag the fixture into the final day of the series, India’s spinners bowled five no-balls, taking their match tally to 10, on Day 4 in Colombo. The report also notes that but that doesn’t make the problem entirely inconsequential, none cost them a wicket here. The report also notes that no team would want to bowl those no-balls and give that extra ball and give those extra runs,” Bahutule offered. The report also notes that they will lead that erring pack, if they bowl 6 more of those. The report also notes that go back just one week and you will spot a costly no-ball in the second innings of the Galle Test: Ravindra Jadeja imparted turn and drift to lure Dhananjaya de Silva into nicking the ball to KL Rahul at first slip, but the Sri Lankan captain smiled and carried. The report also notes that the loud and jarring no-ball siren rang out to point out Jadeja’s error.
