"Bumrah Leads in No-Balls, Jadeja and Anshul Follow: Indian Bowlers Slammed for Lack of Discipline in Manchester Test"

Team India’s bowling attack has come under heavy criticism during the England Test series — and not just for lack of wickets. While their line and length have been inconsistent throughout the tour, one glaring issue has remained constant across all matches: poor discipline. This problem hit a new low during the fourth Test at Manchester, where India’s bowlers overstepped repeatedly, giving away crucial extra runs.

Bumrah Tops the No-Ball Chart

Despite being India’s most experienced fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah was the worst offender, bowling 5 no-balls in England’s first innings. His performance, both in terms of control and pace, came under scrutiny as England piled up a massive total and took a commanding lead of over 180 runs by Day 3.

Bowlers Lacked Sharpness — and Discipline

From the very first over on Day 2, India’s bowlers appeared off rhythm. They failed to build pressure, lacked consistency, and repeatedly overstepped the bowling crease. By the end of Day 3, India had bowled 136 overs and delivered 13 no-balls — an alarming number in Test cricket, where every run counts.

Not Just Bumrah: Anshul and Jadeja Also Guilty

The issue wasn’t limited to Bumrah:

• Anshul Kamboj, making his debut, bowled 4 no-balls in just 18 overs.

• Ravindra Jadeja, a spinner known for crossing the line, added 3 no-balls in 33 overs.

• Shardul Thakur chipped in with 1 no-ball.

The only two bowlers who maintained their discipline were Mohammad Siraj (26 overs) and Washington Sundar (19 overs) — both finishing their spells without a single no-ball.

Costly Mistakes on a Crucial Day

These no-balls not only gave away free runs, but also reflected the overall lack of control and focus from India’s bowlers — particularly painful on a day when England’s batters capitalized fully. The Manchester Test exposed this pattern again: India's bowlers are struggling not just with skill but also with basic discipline.