Grid NoRecords message is not rendered when using template and no DataSource is set

[mparvanov]

Reproduction of the problem

Define a 'No Records' with template similar to the following article example: https://docs.telerik.com/aspnet-mvc/html-helpers/data-management/grid/templates/no-records

@(Html.Kendo().Grid<Grid_Template.Controllers.GridModel>()
    .Name("Grid1")
    .NoRecords(n => n.Template("string HTML template, not centered"))
)

Current behavior

The default message for missing record is displayed: No records available.
"autoBind":false is applied to serialization

Expected/desired behavior

The message from the template is displayed: "string HTML template, not centered"

Workaround:
Add .DataSource(d => d.Ajax()) to the Grid configuration

@(Html.Kendo().Grid<Grid_Template.Controllers.GridModel>()
    .Name("Grid1")
    .NoRecords(n => n.Template("string HTML template, not centered"))
        .DataSource(d => d.Ajax())

)

Environment

• Kendo UI version: 2021.3.914

Ticket ID: 1538737

https://feedback.telerik.com/aspnet-mvc/1538907-no-records-showing-default-instead-of-template-in-grid