Who is Saransh Jain? The 33-year-old who eventually earned an India Test call-up

There was one new face in India’s squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, with 33-year-old Saransh Jain earning his Test debut after years of consistent performances in domestic cricket. The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder finally got his much-awaited reward as the selectors announced a 15-member squad under Shubman Gill.

For followers of the domestic game, Jain’s inclusion is far from a surprise. The off-spinner has quietly built one of the strongest red-ball records among Indian all-rounders, performing season after season with both bat and ball without ever breaking through to the senior ranks.

His challenge also comes at an important time. While Washington Sundar was part of the team, his availability depends on fitness as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. With uncertainty surrounding Sundar and India looking for a specialist right-arm finger spinner to complement the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar, the selectors have turned to Jain, who also offers valuable lower-order batting.

The timing of the selection is not random either. Just weeks ago, Jain impressed on India A’s tour of Sri Lanka, taking six wickets in two matches while scoring an unbeaten 70. These performances in conditions similar to the upcoming Test series strengthened his credentials for a place in the senior squad.

WHO IS SARANSH JAIN?

Born in Indore, Jain made his first-class debut for Madhya Pradesh in the 2014-15 season and has since become one of the team’s most reliable players. In 54 first-class matches, the right-arm spinner scored more than 2,000 runs at an average of 31.75 while taking 188 wickets at 27.30, establishing himself as a true all-rounder.

Saransh Jain earned his first Test call-up

Check out the new off-spinner who set the stage alight with his stunning 5/49 in the Duleep Trophy final. pic.twitter.com/VIlTxFDhAy— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) July 28, 2026

Cricket runs in the family, his father Subodh Jain represented Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy. However, early in Saransha’s career, the family went through a difficult phase when his father underwent cancer surgery while he was away on a cricket tour in Australia. Unable to speak after the surgery, Subodh wrote a note to his son asking him to concentrate on cricket. Jain kept this handwritten message throughout his career and drew inspiration from it during the long wait for a phone call from India.

If Jain makes his debut in Galle, he will become the first Indian specialist off-spinner to make his debut in Test cricket since Washington Sundar in Brisbane in 2021.

SARANSH JAIN HOMEMADE EXCELLENCE PAYS

Jain’s rise has been built on consistency rather than one standout season. He was a key member of the historic Madhya Pradesh team that won the 2021-22 Ranji Trophy, playing in the knockout stages before scoring a crucial 57 in the final against Mumbai to help his team lift their maiden title.

His all-round game has only improved since then. During the 2022–23 Ranji Trophy, Jain scored 360 runs and 35 wickets, performances that won him the Lal Amarnath Award as the tournament’s best all-rounder. He followed this up with another exceptional Ranji campaign, scoring 518 runs at 57.55 and picking up 30 wickets at 20.43.

Jain also enhanced his reputation in the Duleep Trophy 2025 where he was named player of the series after taking 16 wickets to lead Central Zone to the title.

His latest audition came during India A’s recent tour of Sri Lanka, where he showcased exactly what India were looking for in the spinning conditions. Besides taking six wickets in two matches, the 33-year-old hit a blistering unbeaten 70 to help India A seal the series and strengthen his credentials as an all-rounder.

Now, after more than a decade in domestic cricket, Jain is on the verge of fulfilling a lifelong dream. At a time when Indian cricket is constantly searching for its next young star, his first challenge is a reminder that consistent domestic performances and perseverance still carry weight with the national electorate.

India vs Sri Lanka Test Team: Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (Goalkeeper), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (Goalkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh and Saharan Krishrandt Jain. Washington Sundar has also been included, subject to fitness clearance.

– The end

Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

28 Jul 2026 10:52 IST