Ravindra Jadeja Bowls 88 Test No-Balls Since 2021, Highest Among Spinners
India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has delivered 88 no-balls in Test cricket since 2021, standing as the highest tally registered by any spinner over this timeframe. Despite celebrating his 350th Test wicket during the ongoing series against Sri Lanka, his repeated overstepping has continued across recent seasons.
What Happened
Ravindra Jadeja extended his front-foot errors during the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka, sending down a total of eight no-balls across the two matches. In the first Test, the left-arm spinner recorded two no-balls in each innings. One of those overstepped deliveries during the second innings granted Sri Lankan batter Dhananjaya de Silva a reprieve.
The issue persisted into the second Test match, where Jadeja was called for three no-balls in the opening innings and another one in the second innings. These additions pushed his overall count since 2021 to 88, a mark that comfortably exceeds that of any other slow bowler in world cricket.
Key Highlights
- Significant Lead: Jadeja’s count of 88 no-balls is more than double that of the next highest spinner, Pakistan’s Noman Ali, who has recorded 40.
- Comparative Figures: Sri Lanka’s Lasith Embuldeniya ranks third with 33 no-balls, followed by England’s Jack Leach with 19, and West Indies’ Jomel Warrican alongside Afghanistan’s Zahir Khan at 17 each.
- Combined Statistics: The five spinners immediately trailing Jadeja have bowled a combined 126 no-balls since 2021, just 38 more than Jadeja’s individual figure.
- Milestone Contrast: Jadeja crossed the milestone of 350 Test wickets during the same series against Sri Lanka.
- Direct Impact: A no-ball in the second innings of the first Test provided a lifeline to Dhananjaya de Silva.
Why This Matters
Spinners are typically expected to maintain strict front-foot discipline due to their slower approach and measured delivery strides compared to pace bowlers. Because of this, Jadeja’s total of 88 oversteps is considered an outlier within his discipline, pointing toward an ongoing technical challenge rather than brief, occasional lapses. Furthermore, overstepping can directly alter match situations, as demonstrated when de Silva survived an overturned dismissal during the first Test.
What to Watch Next
With the Test series against Sri Lanka still underway at the time of reporting, Jadeja’s total number of no-balls for the tour remains subject to further change in upcoming innings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many no-balls has Ravindra Jadeja bowled in Tests since 2021?
Ravindra Jadeja has bowled 88 no-balls in Test cricket since 2021.
Which other spinners have bowled the most no-balls in that period?
Behind Jadeja, Pakistan’s Noman Ali has bowled 40 no-balls, Sri Lanka’s Lasith Embuldeniya has bowled 33, England’s Jack Leach has bowled 19, and both Jomel Warrican of the West Indies and Zahir Khan of Afghanistan have bowled 17.
How many no-balls did Jadeja bowl across the two Tests against Sri Lanka?
Jadeja bowled eight no-balls across the two Tests, recording two in each innings of the first match, followed by three in the first innings and one in the second innings of the second match.
Source: Crictracker