The 33-year-old Madhya Pradesh off-spinning all-rounder has been rewarded for his consistent domestic and India ‘A’ performances as India name a 15-member squad for the two-Test tour beginning August 15.
Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain has earned his maiden India Test call-up after being included in the 15-member squad for the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka in August.
The uncapped 33-year-old has entered the national selection picture following an impressive run in domestic red-ball cricket and for India ‘A’. His inclusion comes with Washington Sundar unavailable for the opening Test because of a reported hamstring injury.
Saransh’s selection represents a significant late-career breakthrough. The right-arm off-spinner and useful left-handed lower-order batter could be in contention for a Test debut when India begin the series at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on August 15.
Key developments
- Saransh Jain receives his maiden India Test call-up at the age of 33.
- Ravindra Jadeja returns after being rested for the Afghanistan Test.
- Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan have been selected subject to fitness clearance.
- Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the opening Test.
- Nitish Kumar Reddy has not been included as he continues rehabilitation.
India squad for Sri Lanka Tests
Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal and Saransh Jain. Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan have been selected subject to fitness clearance.
Domestic consistency earns Saransh Jain his opportunity
Saransh has gradually established himself as one of Madhya Pradesh’s most dependable red-ball players. Across 54 first-class matches, he has claimed 188 wickets at an average of 27.30 with his off-spin.
He has also made a substantial contribution with the bat, scoring 2,223 first-class runs at an average of 31.75. His record includes two centuries and 14 half-centuries, underlining his ability to provide valuable runs in the lower middle order.
| Category | Saransh Jain’s record |
|---|---|
| First-class matches | 54 |
| Wickets | 188 |
| Bowling average | 27.30 |
| Runs | 2,223 |
| Batting average | 31.75 |
| Centuries / half-centuries | 2 / 14 |
His rise gathered momentum during Central Zone’s Duleep Trophy-winning campaign last September. Saransh collected 16 wickets and scored 136 runs across two matches, playing a major role in the team’s title triumph.
He followed that performance with an outstanding 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season, scoring 518 runs at an average of 57.55 and taking 30 wickets at 20.43 apiece.
India ‘A’ performances strengthen selection case
Saransh was part of the India ‘A’ playing XI in both unofficial Tests during the recent tour of Sri Lanka. He returned seven wickets in the two matches and strengthened his all-round credentials by scoring an unbeaten 70 while batting at No.7 in the second game.
Those performances in Sri Lankan conditions could work in his favour as the senior team prepares for matches at Galle and Colombo, where spin is traditionally expected to play an important role.
Jadeja returns to strengthen India’s spin department
Ravindra Jadeja is back in the squad after being rested for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June. His return provides India with an experienced spin-bowling all-rounder capable of influencing the series with both bat and ball.
Jadeja is joined in the spin group by Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar and Saransh. Depending on the surface and the balance preferred by the team management, India could consider fielding a three-spinner attack.
Suthar has retained his place after taking seven wickets on Test debut against Afghanistan. The left-arm spinner subsequently secured a short County Championship stint with Warwickshire.
Should India select three specialist spin options, Suthar, Saransh and Kuldeep could be competing for two positions alongside Jadeja.
Bumrah and Sudharsan await fitness clearance
Jasprit Bumrah has returned to spearhead the fast-bowling attack, although his participation remains subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
The fast bowler suffered an impact injury to his left knee during India’s recent tour of England, forcing him to miss the deciding ODI at Lord’s. He was subsequently rested for the Afghanistan Test.
Sai Sudharsan has also been selected subject to clearance. The left-handed batter retired hurt after scoring seven in the second innings of the first unofficial Test against Sri Lanka ‘A’ and did not return to the crease.
However, he played the second match and produced scores of 168 and an unbeaten 25. That followed his 132 in the first innings of the opening game at Galle, strengthening his case to retain the No.3 position in India’s Test batting order.
Gurnoor Brar retained after ten-wicket haul
Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar complete the pace department alongside Bumrah.
Gurnoor retained his place after producing a ten-wicket match haul for India ‘A’ in the second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka ‘A’ in Galle earlier this month.
The selectors have otherwise retained a familiar batting group. Devdutt Padikkal has been included as the reserve specialist batter, while Dhruv Jurel will serve as the second wicketkeeper behind Rishabh Pant.
KL Rahul continues as vice-captain under Shubman Gill, having replaced Pant in the leadership role for the Afghanistan Test.
India vs Sri Lanka Test series schedule
The tour will begin with a four-day practice match in Colombo on August 7, giving the Indian players an opportunity to adjust to local conditions before the Test series.
The series will mark India’s first Test tour of Sri Lanka since 2017, when the visitors completed a 3–0 series victory.
For Saransh, the tour offers the possibility of completing a remarkable journey from domestic cricket stalwart to India Test player. His experience, control with the ball and ability to contribute useful lower-order runs make him a potentially valuable option in conditions expected to favour spin.
