Please, let’s not’: Gavaskar rejects free-hit idea in Tests after India’s no-ball problem

Sunil Gavaskar has rejected the idea of introducing free hits in Test cricket to tackle the growing problem of no-balls, insisting that batters should not be handed an easier route to scoring runs in the longest format. The debate emerged after India were unable to complete a 2-0 sweep against Sri Lanka in the second Test in Colombo. Shubman Gill's side needed only four wickets on the final day to seal victory, but Sonal Dinusha's unbeaten century helped Sri Lanka survive and force a draw. India still secured a 1-0 series win and kept their hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final alive. However, the number of no-balls bowled by India's spinners during the series has raised concerns. Ravindra Jadeja repeatedly overstepped during the two Tests. The senior left-arm spinner has bowled more than 85 no-balls since 2021, while debutant Saransh Jain also delivered several no-balls during the second innings in Colombo. The issue prompted India's spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule to suggest, albeit jokingly, that free hits could be introduced in Test cricket to discourage bowlers from overstepping. Gavaskar, however, believes such a move would punish the wrong side. The former India captain argued that no-balls are one of the few aspects of cricket completely within a player's control and said the problem needs to be addressed immediately because repeated errors can have a major impact on a Test match. "The no-balls being bowled by the Indian bowlers came in for a fair bit of comment. This has to be looked at urgently because it can change the colour of the game. There are very few aspects of the game that are totally in the players' control, and a batter taking guard and a bowler not bowling a no-ball are two such aspects. Players, when they come for interviews, talk about doing things within their control. Today, with a tape measure available to mark the run-up, there should be no excuses for overstepping the bowling crease," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day. Gavaskar rejects free-hit idea