Jadeja’s no-ball mistakes Irk Gavaskar, calls for fining bowlers, bowling coach

Ravindra Jadeja’s habit of overstepping became a talking point during India’s two-match Test series against Sri Lanka and legendary Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar believes it is time the bowlers paid the price for repeated no-balls in red-ball cricket.

Jadeja bowled a string of no-balls across the two Tests. Since 2021, the left-handed senior has thrown more than 85 no-balls. Debutant Saransh Jain also struggled with his front-foot discipline as he bowled several off-balls in the second innings of the Colombo Test.

Indian bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule jokingly suggested that a free hit on the off-ball could help prevent bowlers from overstepping. But Gavaskar doesn’t want Test cricket to go down that path.

“The low balls bowled by the Indian bowlers have taken a decent notice. It needs to be looked into urgently as it can change the complexion of the game. There are very few aspects of the game that are completely under the control of the players and the batsman’s keeper and the no-ball bowler are two such aspects. The players, when they come for an interview, talk about doing things under control. They should be in control today. excuses for crossing the bowling wicket,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for the Midday.

GAVASKAR DOESN’T WANT FREE HITS

Gavaskar rejected the proposal to introduce free hits, arguing that Test cricket should not offer batsmen another way to score easy runs.

“The coach of the Indian team jokingly said that awarding a free on a no-ball might help curb the offence. Please, let’s not make it easier for the batsmen to score in Test cricket with this penalty. As it is, with the bouncers being limited to two in the over and the boundaries being introduced, running has become a bit easier,” he added.

Instead, Gavaskar wants a financial penalty every time a bowler oversteps. He proposed that the fine be doubled with each additional offense, making repeated refusals increasingly costly.

BOWLING COACH IN GAVASKAR’S LINE OF FIRE

Gavaskar doesn’t want the onus to rest solely on the players. He also suggested that the bowling coach should be fined half the amount imposed on the bowler.

“Instead, how about a fine that doubles for each additional offence, plus half the fine for the bowling coach as well. The fines collected can be used for the final team dinner before the boys break up,” Gavaskar wrote.

He also suggested that teams could introduce their own fines for other offenses on the field, with the players collectively deciding whether the offense merited punishment.

“There can be other penalties, such as not backing up for a pitch or something else not done on the field, which the whole team can vote on whether to save or not. It can also be a fun activity and bond the team even more,” he added.

India drew the second Test in Colombo after Sonal Dinusha’s unbeaten 133 helped Sri Lanka hold on to a draw on day five.

India took a first innings lead of 213 runs but could not force a result. They won the two-match series 1-0 after a convincing victory in the opening Test in Galle.

– The end

Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

30 Aug 2026 10:37 IST