Sunil Gavaskar calls for fines on bowlers for no-balls in Tests
Gavaskar proposes fines for no-balls instead of free-hits after Jadeja's repeated transgressions.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar rejected the idea of a free-hit for no-balls in Tests and instead suggested imposing fines on bowlers. Ravindra Jadeja has bowled more than 85 no-balls in Tests since 2021.
Gavaskar said the issue requires stricter punishment for both players and coaches. Jadeja bowled multiple no-balls during India's recent Test series against Sri Lanka, prompting the former captain's renewed criticism of the problem.
The former captain argued that current measures have not reduced the frequency of no-balls in Test cricket. He proposed financial penalties as a more effective deterrent than existing disciplinary measures.
CricHubb Take
Financial penalties would target individual accountability rather than match outcomes. The proposal shifts responsibility onto bowlers and coaches instead of creating artificial advantages for batting sides.