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Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar said free hit must be removed from cricket, but India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes it is a great marketing tool and has captured the imagination of the fans.
Instead, senior spinner called for a 'free ball' if the batter leaves the non-striker's end early.
"Come on @sanjaymanjrekar, free hit is a great marketing tool and has captured the imagination of all the fans. Let's add a free ball for the bowlers every time a batter leaves the non strikers end early, a wicket of that ball will reduce 10 runs of the bowlers analysis and total," he tweeted
"Remember: 'you are supposed to leave the crease only after the ball leaves the hand'," he added.
The batting team is awarded with a free hit if the bowlers sends down a no-ball. If the bowler bowls a no-ball in an ODI or T20I, the following delivery will be deemed a free-hit and the batsman cannot be dismissed by the bowler from that delivery.
Manjrekar had earlier asked his fans on their suggestions on what changes cricket must consider to improve the experience for the viewers.
"Hi guys, tell me what you think about some aspects of the game mentioned in this column that have me peeved a little bit. Also let me know what rule changes you would make to better your viewing experience. Will retweet the interesting ones."
Ashwin is currently in quarantine with the rest of the Indian team in Mumbai ahead of the UK tour. India play in the World Test Championship final against New Zealand next month before taking on England in a five-match Test series, starting in August.