Ravindra Jadeja gave a lifeline to Marnus Labuschagne by overstepping.
Opting to bat first, India’s first innings folded for a paltry 109 as Australia’s spin troika of Matthew Kuhnemann (5-16), Nathan Lyon (3-35) and Todd Murphy (1-23) ran through the home team’s batting line-up.
It was a listless batting display from India on a turning track at the Holkar Cricket Stadium. Virat Kohli was the top scorer with 22 while most of the batters failed to reach the double-digit mark.
In reply, Australia also lost an early wicket of Travis Head. In fact, the visitors could have faced another setback as Ravindra Jadeja knocked over Marnus Labuschagne in the fourth over of the innings.
However, as the Aussie batter began to walk towards the dressing room, he was stopped by the umpire for a no ball check. As it turned out, Jadeja had indeed overstepped and Labuschagne got a lifeline.
After the wicket-taking delivery was declared no ball, cameras captured India head coach Rahul Dravid's reaction as he was seen shaking his head in disbelief.
Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, who was on-air at the moment, said that it is unacceptable for a spinner to bowl no balls in a Test match. Incidentally, this was Jadeja's second no ball of the innings.
"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," Gavaskar stated while commentating.
Here’s the video: