This is not acceptable, could cost India’ – Sunil Gavaskar fumes as Ravindra Jadeja bowls multiple no-balls against Australia

Sunil Gavaskar and Ravindra Jadeja. (Photo Source: Twitter and BCCI)

Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expressed his displeasure with Ravindra Jadeja after most of his wicket-taking deliveries were adjudges no-balls in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023.

Ravindra Jadeja has bowled as many as eight no balls in this series thus far, with the recent one being bowled on Day 1 of the third Test. The eighth no-ball was a costly one for India, as it otherwise could have been the priced wicket of World No.1 Test batter, Marnus Labuschagne.

“This is not acceptable. He has a couple of man-of-the-match awards but a spinner bowling no balls. I think Paras Mhambrey has to sit down with him and make him bowl from behind. This could cost India,” the 73-year-old said while speaking on Star Sports.

Gavaskar urges India’s bowling coach to work closely with Jadeja so as to resolve the issue

The former India captain stated that no-balls at such crucial junctures were extremely detrimental for any team. Also, when a bowler takes a wicket and realises it’s a no-ball, it gets very demoralising. What could have been the priced wicket of one of the best Test batters currently, ended up allowing him a life and capitalising on his gifted chance.

Gavaskar was of the opinion that it was high time the Indian bowling coach Paras Mhambrey had a serious conversation with Ravindra Jadeja and worked on the 34-year-old’s count of steps while going in to bowl. Jadeja though did manage to get the better of Labuschagne, dismissing him on 31, but by that time, the batter had already provided Australia the momentum they needed to post a solid total.

India didn’t have a great outing after opting to bat first, as they were bundled out for a paltry 109 runs. Matt Kuhnemann bagged his maiden fifer in what was just his second Test match. Nathan Lyon, on the other hand, scalped three wickets to add to his tally 500+ international wickets.

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