Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has proposed financial penalties for bowlers and bowling coaches to reduce no-balls in Test cricket. He rejected a suggestion to introduce free hits in Tests, arguing that the measure would further favour batters and disrupt the balance between bat and ball. Gavaskar said the bowler responsible for a no-ball should face a direct deduction from match fees or another financial penalty.

The discussion follows frequent no-balls by Indian bowlers, particularly spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Saransh Jain, during a recent Test series against Sri Lanka. India spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule had supported adopting the limited-overs free-hit rule in Tests, saying fear of a free hit would make bowlers more careful about overstepping.

Gavaskar instead said bowling coaches should also be held accountable because they are responsible for keeping bowlers on line and correcting mistakes. He proposed that coaches lose 50% of the penalty imposed on the bowler. Calling no-balls by Test spinners an “unforgivable offence,” he said financial consequences would make both players and coaches more vigilant in practice and urged authorities to consider the proposal.