Bahutule jokes about Test free-hits as Jadeja’s Test no-ball count hits 88 since 2021
India spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule addressed Ravindra Jadeja’s repeated no-ball problem during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Day 4, August 26, 2026, suggesting — half in jest — that Tests could borrow the free-hit rule to discourage overstepping. Jadeja bowled three no-balls in the first innings and another in the second of the match, taking his tally to 88 no-balls in Tests since 2021.
Jadeja’s 88 no-balls are the most by any spinner in Tests since 2021, with Pakistan’s Noman Ali second on 40. In the ongoing two-match series, Jadeja had also bowled four no-balls in the first Test — two in each innings — and one of those in Galle allowed Dhananjaya de Silva a reprieve. India’s spin unit collectively bowled 10 no-balls in the second Test, the most by a spin attack in Test cricket since 2021; Afghanistan are listed next with 14.
Bahutule said the coaching staff has been working specifically with Jadeja and Saransh Jain on the issue and acknowledged that effort can lead to overstepping. "It is something which we have been working on. It is definitely a concern at times. 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," Bahutule said at the post-day press conference. "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.
On a lighter note, Bahutule proposed applying the white-ball free-hit penalty to Test cricket as a deterrent to no-balls. "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," he said. The remark was offered in jest, according to the report.
Bahutule outlined the practical steps the team is taking to curb overstepping, describing how net sessions are used to reinforce take-off points and how coaching staff monitor bowlers. "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. So, we definitely give importance to it and work in progress," Bahutule said.
On the field, Sri Lanka reached 229/6 at stumps in their second innings after being enforced to follow on on Day 4; Pasindu Sooriyabandara top-scored with 92. Sri Lanka had been bowled out for 290 in their first innings, with Sonal Dinusha completing a century, after India declared on 503/9 to take a 213-run lead. Prasidh Krishna took 3/52 and Manav Suthar 3/85 in Sri Lanka’s first-innings dismissal, while Saransh Jain claimed figures of 2/69 for his first Test wickets; play was called off early due to heavy rain.
India remain firmly in control of the second Test and will look to wrap up a 2-0 series sweep on Thursday.
