Uncapped all-rounder Saransh Jain has earned his maiden Test call-up to India’s squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in August. The 33-year-old replaces Washington Sundar, who has been ruled out of the first Test due to a hamstring injury.
Saransh has been rewarded for his consistent performances in domestic cricket for Madhya Pradesh and for India A. The experienced off-spinner could now be in line to make his Test debut.
Ravindra Jadeja returns to the squad after being rested for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June. The rest of the 15-member squad remains largely unchanged, with Jasprit Bumrah returning to lead the pace attack. However, Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan have been picked subject to fitness clearance. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is recovering at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, has not been included.
Saransh’s selection comes after an outstanding run in red-ball cricket. He has played 54 first-class matches, taking 188 wickets at an average of 27.30. A handy left-handed batter, he has also scored 2,223 runs at an average of 31.75, including two centuries and 14 fifties.
He played a key role in Central Zone’s Duleep Trophy triumph last season, scoring 136 runs and taking 16 wickets in just two matches. He followed it up with an excellent Ranji Trophy campaign, scoring 518 runs at 57.55 and claiming 30 wickets at 20.43.
Saransh also impressed for India A on the recent tour of Sri Lanka, taking seven wickets across two unofficial Tests and scoring an unbeaten 70 in the second match.
Among the notable absentees are Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Vidarbha all-rounder Harsh Dubey, all of whom were part of the squad for the Afghanistan Test. While Sundar has been ruled out of the opening Test, the BCCI has not clarified whether he could return for the second match.
Bumrah is awaiting fitness clearance after suffering an impact injury to his left knee during India’s ODI series in England. Sai Sudharsan is also awaiting medical clearance after suffering an injury during the India A tour, although he returned to score 168 and an unbeaten 25 in the second unofficial Test.
Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar has retained his place after an impressive Test debut against Afghanistan and a successful stint with Warwickshire. He is expected to compete with Saransh Jain and Kuldeep Yadav for a place in the playing XI if India opt for three spinners.
India’s pace attack also includes Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar, who impressed with a 10-wicket match haul for India A in Sri Lanka earlier this month.
The batting unit remains unchanged, with Devdutt Padikkal included as the reserve batter and Dhruv Jurel serving as the backup wicketkeeper to Rishabh Pant. KL Rahul continues as vice-captain under Shubman Gill.
The two-match Test series begins on August 15 in Galle, marking India’s first Test tour of Sri Lanka in nine years. The second Test will be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23. Before the series, India will play a four-day warm-up match in Colombo starting August 7.
