Archive · 30 Aug 2026
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.
- When
- The comments followed the recently concluded two-Test series; Jadeja’s cited total covers Tests since 2021.
- Where
- The series was played in Sri Lanka, including Tests in Galle and Colombo, while Gavaskar’s comments appeared in his Mid-Day column.
- 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.
- 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.
