‘Free hits could reduce no-balls in Tests’: India spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule

India’s spinners have played a crucial role in their recent success against Sri Lanka, but Day 4 of the second Test in Colombo saw the emergence of a recurring issue: no-balls. Saransh Jain, making his Test debut, bowled four no-balls, while Ravindra Jadeja overstepped once. Manav Suthar, however, did not overstep as India attempted to close out Sri Lanka after enforcing the follow-on.

Spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule acknowledged the team’s awareness of the problem and offered a potential solution: introducing free hits to reduce no-balls. Bahutule explained that bowlers often push themselves to create opportunities, which can lead to overstepping. While a free hit could help reduce no-balls, he noted that some bowlers still have a tendency to push themselves in certain situations.

Despite the setback, Bahutule praised Jain’s performance, highlighting his character and consistency despite the mistakes. The coach also emphasized the uniqueness of Jain’s bowling style, characterized by side-spin and a flat trajectory, which sets him apart from other spinners. Bahutule further discussed the challenges spinners face on Sri Lankan pitches, which generally favor turn.

However, as the ball ages, it becomes softer and dampened, making it easier for batsmen to handle. This, coupled with the inclement weather in Colombo, led to India’s decision to follow on, ensuring they could get the opposition out before any further rain.