Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the team for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka starting from August 15. The most talked about in this team is Madhya Pradesh’s experienced all-rounder Saransh Jain, who has got a place in the Indian Test team for the first time at the age of 33. After consistently performing brilliantly in domestic cricket for more than a decade, his hard work has finally paid off.

Got a chance in place of Washington Sundar

All-rounder Washington Sundar was ruled out of the first Test due to a hamstring injury. After this the selectors expressed confidence in Saransh. There are many left-handed batsmen in the Sri Lankan team, so Saransh was included in the team as an off-spin all-rounder.

Had a great performance for India A

Saransh Jain recently showed an excellent performance for India A during the Sri Lanka tour. In the second unofficial test played in Galle, he scored unbeaten 70 runs and also took 6 wickets. This performance made the path of his selection in the Indian team easier.

Excellent record in domestic cricket

Saransh has been playing Ranji Trophy for Madhya Pradesh since 2014-15 season. He has scored 2,223 runs in 54 matches of first class cricket and has also taken 188 wickets. He has the ability to win matches with both bat and ball.

Played important role in Madhya Pradesh’s first Ranji Trophy win

Madhya Pradesh won its first Ranji Trophy title in the year 2021-22. Saransh got a chance to play in only three matches in the entire season. He was a part of the team in the quarter-final, semi-final and final matches. During this period, he took a total of 13 wickets and also scored an important half-century. A season later, Saransh received the Best All-rounder Award at the Lala Amarnath Awards for his outstanding performance in the tournament.

Also shone in Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup

Playing for Central Zone in the 2025-26 Duleep Trophy, Saransh took 16 wickets in just two matches and also scored half-centuries in the semi-finals and final. He was chosen ‘Player of the Series’ for his excellent performance. After this, while playing for Rest of India in the final of Irani Cup, he also scored 39 runs along with taking 4 wickets against Vidarbha. After this, Saransh opened the door for Team India with his excellent performance against Sri Lanka A.

Father’s struggle inspired him to move forward

Saransh’s story is not limited to cricket only. In the early days of his career, when he was on a tour of Australia, his father Subhodh Jain was diagnosed with oral cancer. The family kept this thing hidden from him so that his attention does not deviate from cricket.

When Saransh returned to India, he came to know about his father’s illness. After the surgery, his father was unable to speak, so he wrote a message for his son on paper and advised him to concentrate only on cricket. Saransh still keeps that letter with him.

Father has also been a Ranji cricketer

Saransh’s father Subhodh has also played Ranji Trophy for Madhya Pradesh. His dream was to play for India, which could not be fulfilled. Now the same dream has been fulfilled by his son Saransh. He has practiced at Vijay Club in Indore, where Indian batsman Rajat Patidar also used to practice with him.

the dream finally came true

On the basis of his consistent performance and patience in domestic cricket, Saransh has finally made a place in the Indian team. This opportunity he got at the age of 33 is being considered as the biggest reward for his hard work, struggle and the mindset of never giving up. India will expect better performance from him in the Sri Lanka series.