India's no-ball problem in Tests warrants deeper introspection

India's spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule suggested free-hits for no-balls in Tests, though the white-ball rule has no place in a format where bowling discipline is demanded as a baseline. India's spinners bowled five no-balls on Day 4 in Colombo, taking their match tally to 10. None cost them a wicket, but the problem remains significant.

"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 [no-balls] will definitely reduce. No team would want to bowl those no-balls and give that extra ball and give those extra runs," Bahutule said.

The spinners' tally of 10 no-balls in the ongoing Test is the third-most by a spin attack. If they bowl six more, they will lead that erring pack.

This is not an isolated issue. In the second innings of the Galle Test, Ravindra Jadeja induced Dhananjaya de Silva into nicking to KL Rahul at first slip, but the no-ball siren nullified the dismissal.

Since TV umpires were confirmed to call no-balls from late 2020, only Kagiso Rabada, Ben Stokes and Jasprit Bumrah have bowled more no-balls than Jadeja. Notably, Jadeja bowled just 18 no-balls from his debut in 2012 to the point where TV adjudication was sanctioned, but has overstepped 89 times since.

Most no-balls in Tests since August 2020

Among spinners, Jadeja has 49 more no-balls than Pakistan's Noman Ali, the next on that list. He is the only spinner among 16 bowlers with more than 40 no-balls in this timeline.

India's inexperienced spin attack has combined for 15 no-balls this series, while Sri Lanka's bowlers have managed just five.

"To be honest, definitely, it is something which we have been working on. It is not that we are ignoring it," Bahutule said. "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, in situations where wickets are not coming through, he has a tendency to push himself. But that is not an excuse."

In this series, Jadeja has bowled eight no-balls, Saransh Jain six, while Suthar has one, which came from knocking the stumps in his delivery stride.

"A lot of work has been put in making sure with Jadeja about where the take-off point is. Generally, they [bowlers] are good in the nets, but sometimes, as I have mentioned, the effort when they put in for that particular delivery is a bit more and they tend to overstep. But the conversations are ongoing and I am sure they will rectify it and get better."

Jadeja bowled just 18 no-balls from his debut in 2012 to the point where TV adjudication was sanctioned. But since then, he's overstepped 89 times

Bahutule insists bowlers are monitored for no-balls in the nets too. "Reminders are given during nets also. It is similar to a match situation. We take every session as seriously and it is monitored from the side view. Sometimes, I stay or the other coaches stand as umpires. We are monitoring spinners and fast bowlers [for no-balls]. It is an important area. So, we definitely give importance to it and it is a work-in-progress."

India are in the middle of a spin-bowling transition, with Jadeja leading an attack that includes a debutant and a bowler in only his third outing. For now, making the basic expectation of not overstepping a top priority could serve them better than any rule change.

"I guess, if the free-hit comes in, it will reduce the percentage. But again, as I mentioned, there are times where they want to push themselves and see how they can get the best of their bowling in that particular situation. It's just that they overstepped. Obviously, the take-off point is talked about. They understand what is happening. And definitely, a process will be put forward in terms of minimising them," Bahutule said.