Colombo, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
After years of toil and consistent performances in domestic cricket, off-spin bowling all-rounder Saransh Jain finally realised his dream of playing Test cricket for India when he received his maiden cap ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday.
The 33-year-old was handed Test cap No. 320 by veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja during the team huddle before the toss. Saransh came into India’s playing XI in place of left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
“Whenever a player starts playing cricket, his dream is to play for India and I have achieved it today. So, I am very grateful and thanks to God and family who supported me and I got this achievement,” Saransh said in a video shared by the BCCI on its social media channels.
Saransh has built an impressive domestic record over 54 First-Class matches, scoring 2,223 runs at an average of 31.75 and taking 188 wickets at 27.30.
He also impressed during India A’s tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year, scoring an unbeaten 70 and claiming a six-wicket haul.
The debut has added several milestones to Saransh’s career. He became India’s 320th men’s Test player and the fifth cricketer from Indore to represent the country in Test cricket, following Narendra Hirwani, Rajesh Chauhan, Naman Ojha and Rajat Patidar.
He is also the oldest Indian player to make his Test debut after turning 33 since Robin Singh did so in 1998. Saransh is additionally the third player, after Murali Vijay and Mohammed Shami, to make his Test debut before receiving an IPL contract.
Saransh said receiving his cap from Jadeja made the occasion even more special.
“Jaddu bhai himself is such a great legend and if I get a cap from him, it will be a great benefit for me. So, I am very happy and I wanted to get a cap from an all-rounder who will motivate me because I am also an all-rounder and I will try to fulfil that,” he said.
While presenting the cap, Jadeja praised Saransh’s sustained domestic performances and urged him to embrace the occasion without allowing pressure to affect his game.
He reminded Saransh that his years of hard work in domestic cricket had earned him the opportunity and advised him to approach the Test as he would a First-Class match.
Jadeja also pointed out that Saransh would have the support of the other members of the Indian squad and wished him success on his Test debut.
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