Ravindra Jadeja's no-ball problem has become a genuine concern for India, even if Sairaj Bahutule's free-hit suggestion was clearly tongue-in-cheek.
Jadeja's overstepping problem is unusually persistent
Jadeja bowled four no-balls in the second Test—three in the first innings and one in the second. That takes his total since 2021 to 88 Test no-balls, the most among spinners during that period.
Pakistan's Noman Ali is a distant second with 40.
The problem isn't restricted to Jadeja either. India's spinners have bowled 10 no-balls in this Test, the most by a spin attack in Test cricket since 2021 according to the figures in the report.
And the consequences can be serious. Jadeja's overstepping already gave Dhananjaya de Silva a reprieve in the first Test at Galle.
Why does it keep happening?
Bahutule's explanation is interesting: extra effort at precisely the wrong moment.
When a spinner is desperate for a wicket, particularly when wickets aren't coming, they may push harder into the delivery. That extra effort can subtly alter the take-off point and send the front foot over the line.
India are actively trying to address this. Coaches have been working with Jadeja and Saransh Jain on identifying their take-off points, while training sessions are monitored with coaches effectively acting as umpires.
So this isn't something the team is ignoring. It's a technical issue they're trying to correct.
And then came Bahutule's solution: free hits in Tests
His comment that introducing the white-ball free-hit rule into Test cricket would reduce no-balls was obviously delivered humorously—but the logic behind the joke is sound.
If every no-ball resulted in a free hit, bowlers would have an even greater incentive to stay behind the line.
Of course, introducing free hits would fundamentally change Test cricket. A no-ball in Tests already carries an extra run and an additional delivery, but the possibility of an unprotected free hit would make overstepping considerably more dangerous.
So, probably not a rule change we're going to see anytime soon.
India still have control in Colombo
Despite the no-ball issue, India remain in an extremely strong position.
After declaring at 503/9, India secured a 213-run first-innings lead and enforced the follow-on. Sri Lanka reached 229/6 at stumps, with Pasindu Sooriyabandara making 92.
India's wicket-takers were:
Prasidh Krishna: 3/52
Manav Suthar: 3/85
Saransh Jain: 2/69 — his first Test wickets
Heavy rain shortened play, but Sri Lanka are only 16 runs ahead overall with four wickets remaining.
So Thursday's objective is straightforward: remove the last four wickets and chase whatever modest target Sri Lanka set.
The bigger takeaway: India's spinners are doing enough with the ball to put Sri Lanka under enormous pressure, but the no-balls are giving the opposition unnecessary second chances. With a Test series sweep within reach, eliminating those freebies should be one of the team's immediate priorities.
