India include 33-year-old off-spinner Saransh Jain in their Test squad for the Sri Lanka tour after Washington Sundar sustains a hamstring injury, leaving the team short of a specialist off-spinner for the opening match. Multiple reports say Jain replaces Sundar in the squad for the two-Test series, with the first Test scheduled to begin on August 15 in Galle. Several outlets describe Jain’s background as a long-serving Madhya Pradesh performer with extensive domestic cricket experience, noting that he has produced consistent red-ball performances over several seasons and for India A. Reports also link his selection to standout domestic form, including mention of a five-wicket haul in the Duleep Trophy final and a Player of the Series award in that competition. Times of India and other sources attribute his improvement to coaching and technical work under Madhya Pradesh coach Chandrakant Pandit, including a bowling adjustment that increases his effectiveness. Wisden also highlights that Jain has never played an IPL match, positioning his call-up as an unusual route into the Test side. Overall, sources agree the selection is driven by the need to cover off-spin in the short term and Jain’s sustained domestic record.
Saransh Jain named in India Test squad for Sri Lanka after Washington Sundar injury
India include 33-year-old off-spinner Saransh Jain in their Test squad for the Sri Lanka tour after Washington Sundar sustains a hamstring injury, leaving the team short of a specialist off-spinner fo...
- Saransh Jain, 33, receives his maiden India Test call-up for the Sri Lanka tour.
- He replaces injured Washington Sundar, who suffers a hamstring injury.
- The first Test is scheduled to start on August 15 in Galle, followed by a second match.
- Jain is an off-spinner with extensive Madhya Pradesh red-ball and India A experience, including strong Duleep Trophy performances.
- Multiple outlets note Jain has not played in the IPL.
India have handed a maiden Test call-up to 33-year-old Saransh Jain, who has never played the IPL, after Washington Sundar's hamstring injury left them without a specialist off-spinner for the opening Test against Sri Lanka.
1 hour agoSaransh Jain earned his maiden Test call-up after consistent domestic performances. Coach Chandrakant Pandit championed his inclusion, believing in his talent for years. Jain's strong red-ball record with bat and ball impressed selectors. A technical adjustment by Pandit significantly enhanced his bowling effectiveness. Jain's dedication and focus on red-ball cricket set him apart.
2 hours agoSaransh Jain could be India's oldest debutant since the Robin Singh in 1988 after he received a maiden call up to the India squad for the Sri Lanka Tests. Jain replaces the injured Washington Sundar, having impressed for years with consistent performances for Madhya Pradesh and India A. The 33-year-old fills the void of an off-spinner in the squad, with Ravi Ashwin retired and his replacement Washington Sundar out with an injury. Like Sunday, Jain also bowls right handed off-spin, while bats left-handed. Saransh Jain has earned his maiden Test call-up Take a look at the new off-spinner, who set the stage on fire with his stunning 5/49 in the Duleep Trophy final. pic.twitter.com/VIlTxFDhAy— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) July 28, 2026 Born in Indore, Jain's father, Subodh, played nine Ranji Trophy matches for Madhya Pradesh. Saransh made his first-class debut in 2014, but his career took off under veteran coach Chandrakant Pandit, who backed him as a genuine all-rounder. Since then, he has become one of Madhya Pradesh's most dependable performers.He played a key role in Madhya Pradesh's maiden Ranji Trophy triumph in 2022. Last season, Saransh scored 518 runs at 57.55 and claimed 30 wickets in seven Ranji Trophy matches. He was also named Player of the Series in the Duleep Trophy after scoring two fifties and taking 16 wickets in just two games.Ravindra Jadeja Returns, Saransh Jain Earns Maiden Call-Up As India Announce 15-Member Squad For Sri Lanka Test SeriesHis final push came during India A's tour of Sri Lanka. Jain remained unbeaten on 70 and claimed six wickets in the second unofficial Test in Galle. Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are expected to start with Jain likely to compete with Manav Suthar for the remaining spot. Despite his domestic success, Jain has never been picked in the IPL. He went unsold in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 auctions.If selected, Jain will achieve a rare milestone. He would become the first Indian cricketer since Robin Singh in 1998 to make his Test debut after turning 33. Suryakumar Yadav is India's oldest debutant in the 21st century, and Jain would beat that margin by a year should he get his first international cap.
2 hours agoAt 33, with a wealth of domestic cricket experience behind him, Madhya Pradesh off-spinner Saransh Jain on Tuesday earned his maiden India call-up. Jain impressed former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh during a five-day camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, where he caught the legend's eye. Four months later, the off-spinner will board a flight to Sri Lanka for the two-match Test series, starting on August 15 in Galle.
4 hours agoWho is Saransh Jain? Learn about the 33-year-old Madhya Pradesh all-rounder who replaced Washington Sundar in India's Test squad for the Sri Lanka tour.
4 hours ago33-year-old spinner Saransh Jain earned his maiden India Test squad call-up for the Sri Lanka series, replacing injured Washington Sundar.
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