3 days ago
Gavaskar Seeks Harsher No-Ball Penalties After Sri Lanka Series
A no-ball happens when a bowler steps over the line while delivering the ball.
India’s bowlers bowled many no-balls during their Test series against Sri Lanka.
Ravindra Jadeja has bowled more than 85 Test no-balls since 2021.
In the Colombo Test, Jadeja and Saransh Jain bowled 11 no-balls together.
Sunil Gavaskar said no-balls can change the result of a match.
He believes modern technology gives bowlers fewer excuses for stepping over the line.
Bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule suggested giving batters a free hit after a no-ball.
Gavaskar opposed that idea because it might make scoring runs easier in Test cricket.
Instead, he suggested fines that become larger after each repeated no-ball, with the bowling coach also paying part of the penalty.
Ravindra Jadeja has bowled more than 85 Test no-balls since 2021.
India’s bowlers delivered 20 no-balls across the four innings of the series.
Jadeja and debutant Saransh Jain bowled 11 no-balls between them in Colombo.
Sunil Gavaskar rejected free hits in Tests, saying they could make run-scoring easier.
Gavaskar proposed escalating fines for bowlers and financial accountability for the bowling coach.
- Who
- Sunil Gavaskar criticized India’s no-ball problems involving Ravindra Jadeja and Saransh Jain; bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule suggested free hits.
- What
- Gavaskar called for escalating fines for repeated no-balls and rejected free hits as a Test-cricket penalty.
- Where
- The series was played in Sri Lanka, including Tests in Galle and Colombo, while Gavaskar’s comments appeared in his Mid-Day column.
- When
- The comments followed the recently concluded two-Test series; Jadeja’s cited total covers Tests since 2021.
- Why
- Gavaskar said no-balls are largely within a bowler’s control and can significantly affect the course of a match.
Escalating Fines
Free Hits
Reducing repeated no-balls
Escalating Fines
Sunil Gavaskar supports escalating fines for bowlers who repeatedly overstep, with the bowling coach also sharing financial responsibility.
Free Hits
Sairaj Bahutule suggested awarding a free hit after a no-ball as a possible deterrent.
Impact on Test cricket
Escalating Fines
Gavaskar argues that financial penalties address an error within the bowler’s control without making batting easier.
Free Hits
A free hit would give the batter an additional scoring opportunity, which Gavaskar believes could make Test cricket more batter-friendly.
Key facts
- Series result
- India won the two-Test series against Sri Lanka 1-0.
- Jadeja’s no-balls
- More than 85 in Tests since 2021.
- Series total
- India’s bowlers overstepped 20 times across the four innings of the series.
- Colombo Test
- Jadeja and Saransh Jain combined for 11 no-balls, while India bowled 13 in total.
- Gavaskar’s proposal
- A fine that doubles for every further no-ball, with the bowling coach paying half the amount.
- Alternative proposal
- Sairaj Bahutule suggested a free hit after a no-ball in Test cricket.
- Use of fines
- Gavaskar suggested using collected fines for a final team dinner.
Quotes
Sunil Gavaskar
Former India captain and cricket commentator
“As it is, with the restriction on bouncers to two in an over and the boundaries being brought in, run making has become a little simpler. Instead, how about a fine which gets doubled for every further transgression, plus half the amount of the fine for the bowling coach too.”
indianexpress.com
livemint.com
“This has to be looked at urgently because it can change the colour of the game. There are very few aspects of the game that are totally in the players’ control, and a batter taking guard and a bowler not bowling a no-ball are two such aspects.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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