![Indian coach expresses frustration on Ravindra Jadeja's no balls [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1787747669054_RavindraJadejaShubmanGillIndiaSriLankaTest.jpg?type=hq)
Indian coach expresses frustration on Ravindra Jadeja's no balls [Source: AFP]
Ravindra Jadeja is currently the most experienced bowler in the Indian outfit since Ravichandran Ashwin retired in 2024. At 37, the spinner is closing in on the landmark of 100 Test matches, but one issue has remained prevalent throughout his illustrious career — the unwanted no-balls.
Commentators often say it is a crime for a spinner to bowl no balls. But due to no penalty in Tests, bowlers tend to repeat the same mistake over and over again. Jadeja is among the most repeat offenders of this, and India’s spin bowling coach, Sairaj Bahutule, has spoken up about his frustration with the situation as well.
India coach reacts to Excessive No Balls
The concern over the no-balls has resurfaced on Wednesday evening after the end of Day 4 of the second Test between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo. While trying to bowl out Sri Lanka in the first innings, Ravindra Jadeja bowled three no-balls in 20 overs, while Saransh Jain bowled two, including one on the first ball of his Test career.
Later on, as Sri Lanka was following on, Saransh Jain bowled four no-balls in 17.4 overs, and Jadeja bowled one. Similarly, during the Galle Test, Jadeja had bowled four no-balls across both innings. Notably, the veteran spinner had also overstepped when he had dismissed Dhananjaya de Silva in the first Test, adding to everyone’s frustration.
Addressing the situation in the press conference, Sairaj Bahutule revealed that they are working with Jadeja and others and bluntly admitted that it is a concern for the Indian camp.
“No-balls are a concern for us. Conversations are on with players. We are working on the no-balls. Yes, it is frustrating at times, but be it Jadeja or Saransh or others, this is an area we are working on and are monitoring their game. It happens when a bowler is trying to put in extra effort,” said Bahutule.
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Jadeja’s telling no-ball record
Amidst 10 no-balls by Indian spinners in the ongoing Test in Colombo, one of the most telling stats came to everyone’s attention. Ravindra Jadeja is currently leading the record for bowling the most no-balls among spinners since 2021.
He has bowled 48 no-balls more than any other spinner during this period, with no other Indian in the top-3.
Nathan Lyon has exhibited great control in this area, having not overstepped despite bowling 34,500 balls in his Test career, while Ravichandran Ashwin bowled his first no-ball after over 20,000 deliveries in 2021.
Most Test No-Balls by Spinners since 2021:
1. Ravindra Jadeja (IND) – 88*
2. Noman Ali (PAK) – 40
3. Lasith Embuldeniya (SL) - 33
Sairaj Bahutule provides a solution for Jadeja's no-ball problem
While speaking about the no-ball concerns, especially in Test cricket, Sairaj Bahutule, who played 8 ODIs and 2 Tests as a leg-spinner, gave a simple solution to the ICC and MCC. He believes the introduction of free-hits will significantly reduce the number of no-balls bowlers bowl in Test cricket.
The overstepping free-hit was first introduced in October 2007, and since 2015, all kinds of no-balls have been awarded free-hits in white-ball cricket.
"If a free hit comes in Test cricket, the percentage of no-balls will definitely reduce. The take-off point is talked about. A process will be put forward to minimise it," he told the press.
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