‘A Spinner Bowling a No-Ball Is a Crime’: Ex-India Star Slams Coach After Ravi Bishnoi’s Costly Spell vs England

India’s disappointing defeat to England in the second T20 International has triggered sharp criticism from former leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, who believes spinner Ravi Bishnoi’s costly no-balls could have been avoided with better technical guidance from the team’s spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule.

Bishnoi’s expensive 17th over proved to be the turning point of the match as England chased down the target, with two no-balls allowing Jacob Bethell to capitalise during the crucial phase of the innings.

‘A Spinner Should Never Bowl a No-Ball’

Speaking after the match, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan did not hold back in his criticism, calling a spinner bowling a no-ball a serious technical error.

According to the former India cricketer, Bahutule should have identified flaws in Bishnoi’s run-up during practice sessions and corrected them before the match.“A spinner should not be bowling a no-ball. It’s a crime. For him to bowl a back-foot no-ball by cutting the return crease is something that should have been noticed in the nets. The first thing is to ensure a bowler delivers a legal ball before worrying about bowling a good one,” Sivaramakrishnan said.

He added that legendary Indian spinners like Bhagwath Chandrasekhar and Anil Kumble rarely committed such errors and stressed that leg-spinners should primarily be used as attacking bowlers rather than defensive options.

Bishnoi’s Costly 17th Over Turns the Match

England required 49 runs from the final four overs when Bishnoi returned to bowl the 17th over.

The over began with a no-ball, and Jacob Bethell punished the free hit with a six. Bishnoi then bowled another no-ball, which Bethell again dispatched over the boundary. The England batter continued his assault with another six and a four as the over yielded 29 runs, dramatically shifting the momentum in the hosts’ favour.

Before that over, Bishnoi had bowled well, conceding only 31 runs in his first three overs.

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Shreyas Iyer Calls It the Turning Point

Following the defeat, India captain Shreyas Iyer acknowledged that Bishnoi’s expensive over changed the course of the match.

The skipper described it as the defining moment in England’s successful chase. Questions were also raised over India’s bowling strategy, with Shivam Dube, who has been effective with the ball recently, not being used during the death overs.

Sivaramakrishnan Keen to Help Young Spinners

During the interaction, Sivaramakrishnan also revealed his interest in contributing to Indian cricket through coaching.

Rather than joining the senior national team, the former spinner said he would prefer working with India A or at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, where he believes he can help develop young spin bowlers by improving their technique, mindset, and tactical awareness.

He said nurturing emerging talent would be a more meaningful role for him at this stage.

Will Bishnoi Keep His Place?

Bishnoi’s performance has now put his place in the playing XI under scrutiny ahead of the third T20I at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.

India have alternatives available, including Washington Sundar, while uncapped pacer Prince Yadav could also be considered depending on the team combination and conditions.

All-rounders Shivam Dube and Abhishek Sharma also provide additional bowling options, giving the team management several choices as they look to bounce back in the series.