India’s spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said the number of no-balls bowled by Indian spinners in the second Test match against Sri Lanka is a matter of concern. Ravindra Jadeja and Saransh Jain bowled three and two no-balls respectively in the first innings of the second game at Colombo. 

In fact, Jain’s first delivery in the red-ball version was a no-ball. Furthermore, in the second innings, Jain has thus far bowled four no-balls whereas Jadeja has bowled one. It is often said that a spinner bowling a front-foot no-ball is a criminal offense.

Earlier in the opening Test, Jadeja had dismissed Sri Lankan skipper Dhananjaya de Silva but stepped out of the crease, giving one more life to the right-hander.

Bahutule said in the post-day press conference, “To be honest, definitely, it is something which we have been working on. It is not that we are ignoring it. It is definitely a concern at times, but generally when the bowler is putting in that effort, trying to see how he can create that opportunity and get the wicket, in situations where wickets are not coming through, he has a tendency to push himself. But that is not an excuse.”

The former leg-spinner reckons the introduction of free-hit in the red-ball version of the game will certainly reduce the number of no-balls in the game.

“If you bowl a no-ball, there will be a consequence. I am no guardian of the rules but if it (free hit) comes, obviously, they will definitely reduce no-balls. No team would want to bowl those no-balls and give that extra ball and give those extra runs. But, as a spin-bowling unit, we really need to think about it, take up the responsibility and work towards minimizing it.”

Sri Lanka ended the fourth day’s play at 229-6 while following on, leading India by 16 runs.