Brief Score, SL vs IND, 2nd Test Day 4: Sri Lanka (290, 229 for 6 (f/o), lead India (503/9 d) by 16 runs at Stumps in Colombo.
Ravindra Jadeja’s no-ball troubles have resurfaced in the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, with India spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule suggesting, half-jokingly, that the longest format could do with free hits to cut down on the problem.
Jadeja bowled three no-balls in the first innings of the ongoing second Test and another in the second, taking his tally to 88 in Tests since 2021. That is the most by any spinner during the period, with Pakistan’s Noman Ali second on 40.
Jadeja had also bowled four no-balls in the first Test, two in each innings. One of them proved costly as Dhananjaya de Silva was given a lifeline in the series opener in Galle.
And it is not just Jadeja who has struggled with overstepping. India’s spinners have bowled 10 no-balls in the second Test, the most by a spin attack in Test cricket since 2021. Afghanistan are next on the list with 14.
Bahutule said the team has been working on the problem, particularly with Jadeja and Saransh Jain, but admitted that bowlers can sometimes go beyond the line when they try to put extra effort into a delivery.
“It is something which we have been working on. It is definitely a concern at times. But when the bowler is putting in that effort and gets a wicket in situations where wickets are not coming, he has a tendency to push himself, but that is not an excuse,” Bahutule said at the post-day press conference.
“But a lot of work has been put in with (Ravindra) Jadeja, with Saransh (Jain), about where the take-off point is. But sometimes, the effort they put in for that particular delivery is a bit more and they tend to overstep. I am sure they will rectify it and get better,” he added.
BAHUTULE’S FREE-HIT IDEA
Bahutule then came up with a rather unusual way of dealing with no-balls: bring the free-hit rule from white-ball cricket into Tests.
“I am no guardian of the rules but if a free-hit comes, obviously, no-balls will definitely be reduced. No team would want to bowl those no-balls and give that extra ball and give those extra runs,” he said.
The suggestion was clearly made in jest, but the Indian team management will need to find a way to reduce the number of no-balls bowled by their spinners in Test cricket.
India’s spin-bowling coach said the players are reminded of their take-off points during net sessions, while members of the coaching staff take turns acting as umpires and keeping a close eye on both the spinners and fast bowlers.
“I think the reminders are given during nets also. It is similar to a match situation. We take every session seriously and it is monitored from the side.
“Sometimes, I stay as an umpire and sometimes the other coaches stand as umpires. We are monitoring spinners and fast bowlers. So, we definitely give importance to it and work in progress,” Bahutule said.
Meanwhile, Pasindu Sooriyabandara top-scored with 92 as Sri Lanka reached 229/6 at stumps in their second innings after India enforced the follow-on on Day 4 of the second Test. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 290 in their first innings after Sonal Dinusha completed his century. India had declared on 503/9, taking a 213-run lead.
Prasidh Krishna (3/52) and Manav Suthar (3/85) took three wickets each, while Saransh Jain (2/69) claimed his first Test wickets. Play was called off early due to heavy rain, but India remain firmly in control and will look to wrap up a 2-0 series sweep on Thursday.
– Ends
