Veteran all-rounder Saransh Jain earned his maiden India call-up after being named in India’s squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. India will play two Tests in Sri Lanka starting August 15 as well. However, Saransh Jain has replaced injured Washington Sundar. Meanwhile, he revealed where he was and how he got to know about his maiden India call-up when the squad was announced. He was informed by a cricketing friend while he was driving on his way to a temple he regularly visits as well.

“I was at a temple in the morning where I always go. When I was going to another temple from there, I saw my phone while driving, and there were 10-12 missed calls and messages. I picked up my friend’s call, who also plays cricket. He congratulated me. I asked him what for. I told him the squad wouldn’t be announced (officially) in the morning. But he told me it was. I stopped the car on the side and saw that the squad was actually announced,” he said in an exclusive interview with Star Sports.

READ HERE: Shubman Gill Breaks Silence On ODI Futures Of Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli

“It is hard work and discipline of 26 years. When I went back home, my father, brother, wife, mother, and everyone were emotional. It was a common dream for all, and everybody had made sacrifices. It is not easy to be picked in a 15-member squad in India. Family support is very important. There were many times when I could have broken down, but they supported me and managed things,” he again shared.

While its rare to see someone beyond 30 get a maiden call-up in the Indian team in the longer format, Saransh Jain, who always wanted to playing Test cricket for India, believes that age is just a number. He also revealed having faith in himself to play for India sooner or later.

“My dream was also to play Test cricket for India right from the start. I like red-ball cricket anyway. I am very happy, as the patience needed in red-ball cricket comes with experience match by match. Age is just a number. If you are fit, it does not look like you are old. 33 is just a number. If not now, in the next one or two years, I would definitely play for India,” he concluded.