Free hits in Tests can fix no-ball issue: India coach
"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," said Bahutule after the fourth day's play on Wednesday.
India's spin bowling coach, Sairaj Bahutule, has suggested introducing free hits in Test cricket to curb the issue of no-balls. After the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, India's spinners delivered 10 no-balls, the highest by a spin attack since 2021, with Afghanistan leading the list at 14. Bahutule, while joking, stressed that free hits would dissuade teams from bowling no-balls, as no team would willingly concede extra balls and runs.
He emphasized that this issue is being addressed within the team, and India is working on minimizing it. Bahutule admitted that overstepping often occurs when bowlers try to get wickets, but acknowledged that India is putting in remedial work, particularly with Jadeja and Jain, to improve their take-off point.
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