Gautam Gambhir was left visibly frustrated after Ravindra Jadeja’s no-ball denied India a crucial wicket against Sri Lanka on Day 4 of the Galle Test. The India head coach watched on as Jadeja produced a delivery that turned sharply, took the edge of Dhananjaya de Silva’s bat and travelled towards first slip, only for the dismissal to be overturned because the spinner had overstepped.
SL vs IND, 1st Test Day 4: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
It was a particularly painful moment for India because Dhananjaya had been completely beaten by the variation. Jadeja’s delivery looked almost identical to his stock ball in flight and release before turning sharply past the middle of the bat. The edge appeared to give India another breakthrough, but the no-ball meant Dhananjaya survived.
Gambhir has previously been outspoken about the importance of avoiding no-balls. In 2023, he criticised Arshdeep Singh after the pacer bowled three consecutive no-balls against Sri Lanka, arguing that such mistakes could not be accepted at international level.
The latest lapse will therefore have been particularly frustrating for the India coach, especially with the team closing in on victory.
JADEJA SHINES AS INDIA NEAR VICTORY
Jadeja has nevertheless played a significant role in India’s commanding position in Galle. He took three wickets in Sri Lanka’s first innings, while also reaching 350 international wickets during the match.
The no-ball also adds to a long-standing statistical issue for the left-arm spinner. Since 2021, he has bowled 84 no-balls in Tests, the most among spinners during that period. Pakistan’s Noman Ali is next on the list with 40, followed by Sri Lanka’s Lasith Embuldeniya with 33.
India had already done most of the hard work before the missed opportunity. After taking a 178-run first-innings lead, they were bowled out for 193 in their second innings, setting Sri Lanka a target of 372.
The hosts then lost four wickets before stumps. Mohammed Siraj removed Nishan Madushka, Manav Suthar dismissed concussion substitute Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Lahiru Udara, while Prasidh Krishna accounted for Kamindu Mendis.
Sri Lanka eventually closed on 84 for four, leaving them 288 runs short with six wickets remaining. Dhananjaya, who survived Jadeja’s no-ball, was unbeaten on 31 alongside Sonal Dinusha on 25.
India therefore remain firmly in command and need only six wickets to seal the Test. The Galle surface is offering turn and variable bounce, while India have Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Suthar available to attack on the final day.
For Gambhir, the no-ball was an unwanted blemish on an otherwise dominant day. With Sri Lanka still requiring a huge effort to save the match, India will hope Jadeja’s lapse does not prove costly.
– Ends
