Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain has described his maiden India Test call-up as proof that consistent domestic performances still matter, insisting that the Indian Premier League (IPL) is not the only route to representing the national team. The 33-year-old was named in India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka after years of excelling in domestic cricket.
Jain’s selection surprised many cricket followers, especially given that he has never featured in the IPL, a tournament that has increasingly become a platform for players to earn international recognition. However, the seasoned all-rounder believes his inclusion is a reward for years of hard work in the domestic circuit.
Speaking to The Times of India, Saransh Jain expressed his gratitude to the selectors for placing their faith in him. “My selection shows that the IPL alone is not the yardstick for making the cut. It is proof of the hard work I have put into domestic cricket. I would like to thank the selectors for showing faith in me,” Saransh Jain said.
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The all-rounder, who has amassed 2,223 runs and claimed 188 wickets in 54 first-class matches, revealed that he was unaware of his selection until he returned home from the Hanuman Temple in Indore.
“After returning from the temple, my phone was inundated with messages and missed calls. I realised that I was selected in the Indian Test squad for next month’s Sri Lanka tour,” he recalled.
Saransh Jain on his maiden call-up for Team India 🗣️#Cricket #TeamIndia
pic.twitter.com/qg18I9OhsJ— CREX (@Crex_live) July 29, 2026
Jain was drafted into the squad after Washington Sundar was ruled out with an injury, but he believes his recent performances had already strengthened his case for national selection. During the India A tour of Sri Lanka, he impressed with both bat and ball, taking six wickets and scoring an unbeaten 70 across the two-match series.
“The just-concluded India A tour of Sri Lanka, where I picked up six wickets and scored an unbeaten 70, instilled confidence. Two years back, the six-for against Mumbai in the Irani Trophy was another important milestone,” he added.
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Saransh Jain also credited his father, former Madhya Pradesh cricketer Subodh Jain, for shaping his cricketing journey. He revealed that his father encouraged him to develop into a complete cricketer by striving to bowl like the finest off-spinner and bat like a dependable No. 4.
“My father (Subodh Jain) is my hero. He was the reason why I became a cricketer,” Jain said, acknowledging the biggest influence behind his long-awaited rise to the Indian Test team.
