Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar firmly rejected the idea of introducing free hits for overstepping in Test cricket. Responding to spin coach Sairaj Bahutule’s lighthearted suggestion following repeated no-balls by Ravindra Jadeja and Saransh Jain during the Sri Lanka series, Gavaskar argued that free hits would disproportionately favor batters. Instead, he proposed progressive monetary fines for overstepping bowlers and holding bowling coaches partially accountable.
Writing in his column for Mid-Day, Sunil Gavaskar strongly opposed introducing the limited-overs free hit rule into Test cricket. He stated that run-scoring in the red-ball format has already become easier due to boundary adjustments and restrictions on bouncers. Introducing free hits would further tilt the balance in favor of batters. Gavaskar stressed that avoiding overstepping is fully within a bowler’s control, especially with modern measuring tools, leaving no excuse for repeated infractions.
Alternative penalties for Free Hit Gavaskar proposed:
Rather than altering official ICC playing conditions, Gavaskar suggested an internal financial penalty system where an initial fine is imposed on an overstepping bowler, with the amount doubling for every subsequent violation throughout the match. To ensure shared responsibility, he proposed charging the team’s bowling coach half the fine amount assessed to the bowler. All fines collected through this system would pool into a shared fund reserved for the squad’s final team dinner at the conclusion of a tour. Additionally, he recommended that teams hold collective votes to fine players for other on-field lapses—such as failing to back up throws—to build camaraderie while encouraging discipline.
The debate emerged after Indian spinners, particularly Ravindra Jadeja and debutant Saransh Jain, conceded multiple no-balls during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Ravindra Jadeja alone has delivered over 85 no-balls in Test cricket since 2021. Prompted by these repeated unforced errors, spin coach Sairaj Bahutule jokingly suggested that free hits in Tests might force bowlers to maintain disciplined run-ups, leading directly to Gavaskar’s counter-proposal for internal team fines.
Jadeja No balls:
🔴INDIA HAS BOWLED 10 NO BALLS IN THIS TEST MATCH 🤯
– Since 2021, Ravindra Jadeja has bowled 88 no-balls in Test cricket. 😔 pic.twitter.com/TU3YFIMuoZ
— Sam (@cricsam02) August 26, 2026
