The Indian spin unit was guilty of overstepping 10 times so far in the second Test against Sri Lanka. It’s the most no-balls bowled by a spin attack since 2021 whereas Afghanistan top the chart with 14 illegal deliveries.
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,” said Bahutule in the post-day press conference. “It is something which we have been working on. It is definitely a concern at times.
Spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule on Wednesday offered a unique measure to curb the menace of no-balls that has been plaguing Indian spinners in the ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka — suggesting to introduce free-hit in the longest format.
They understand what is happening and definitely a process will be put forward in terms of minimising,” he said. So, we definitely give importance to it and work in progress,” he said. “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. However, Bahutule offered a rather unexpected solution — copy free-hits into Test cricket from white ball formats. Of course, the suggestion was more in half-jest. “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. “Obviously, the take-off point is talked about. But how serious the bowlers and support staff are at nets in correcting the no-ball issue? “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.
