MP off-spinner Saransh Jain gets maiden India Test call-up for Sri Lanka series

Veteran Madhya Pradesh off-spinner Saransh Jain earned his maiden Test call-up on Tuesday, capping a decade of consistent domestic performances as the selectors announced India’s 15-member squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka next month.

As reported by PTI on Sunday, the 33-year-old Saransh was in contention due to Washington Sundar’s likely unavailability for the opening Test because of his ongoing rehabilitation from a hamstring injury. The short series will be played in Galle (August 15 to 19) and Colombo (August 23 to 27). India will also play a four-day practice match from August 7 to prepare for the main assignment.

Saransh’s inclusion stems from the Shubman Gill-led side’s need for a right-arm finger spinner in Washington’s absence.

A key member of Madhya Pradesh’s Ranji Trophy-winning side under Chandrakant Pandit’s coaching, the tall off-spinner enhanced his credentials during the recent India A tour of Sri Lanka, claiming six wickets across the two matches while also scoring a gritty unbeaten 70.

With Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar being the left-arm orthodox spinners and Kuldeep Yadav a left-arm wrist spinner, the selectors opted for variety by drafting in the only specialist right-arm finger spinner in contention. Jadeja had been given a break from the one-off home Test against Afghanistan in June.