Who is Saransh Jain? Meet the 33-year-old MP all-rounder who earned his maiden India Test call-up

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)handed Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain his maiden senior call-up for the two-match Test series on Tuesday. He was named in India's squad as a replacement for Washington Sundar, who was ruled out due to an injury. A right-arm off-break bowler and a reliable left-handed lower-order batter, Jain is seen as a like-for-like replacement for Sundar.

For followers of domestic cricket, Saransh Jain's selection is no surprise. The 33-year-old has consistently performed for Madhya Pradesh in red-ball cricket, making valuable contributions with both bat and ball. His impressive performances over the years have earned him a reputation as one of the country's most dependable domestic all-rounders.

In this article, we take a closer look at Saransh Jain's journey, his domestic cricket career, his playing style, and the performances that helped him earn his maiden India Test call-up. Here is everything you need to know about the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder.

From Ranji domestic grind to Team India: Inside Saransh Jain's 188-wicket journey

Saransh Jain's journey to the Indian Test team is the result of more than a decade of consistent performances in domestic cricket. Born in Indore, the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder made his First-Class debut during the 2014-15 season and has grown into one of the team's most dependable players. In 54 First-Class matches, the right-arm off-spinner has scored 2,223 runs at an average of 31.75 and taken 188 wickets at 27.30. His latest performances for India A against Sri Lanka A, where he picked up six wickets and scored an unbeaten 70, further strengthened his case for a place in the senior squad.

Jain has built his reputation through consistent performances rather than one outstanding season. He played a key role in Madhya Pradesh's historic 2021-22 Ranji Trophy triumph and scored a valuable 57 in the final against Mumbai. During the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season, he scored 360 runs and claimed 35 wickets to win the Lala Amarnath Award for the tournament's best all-rounder. He followed it up with another impressive campaign, scoring 518 runs at an average of 57.55 while taking 30 wickets at 20.43.

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The 33-year-old also impressed in the 2025 Duleep Trophy, where he was named Player of the Series after taking 16 wickets to help Central Zone win the title. His maiden India Test call-up came after Washington Sundar was ruled out with an injury, opening the door for his selection. If Jain makes his debut in Galle, he will achieve a lifelong dream and become India's first specialist off-spinner to make his Test debut since Washington Sundar in 2021. His selection is a reward for years of hard work, patience, and consistent performances in domestic cricket.

Why Washington Sundar's injury opened the door for the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder

Washington Sundar's injury created an opportunity for Saransh Jain to earn his maiden India Test call-up. With Sundar unavailable, the selectors wanted a specialist right-arm off-spinner who could support Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Manav Suthar in Sri Lankan conditions. Jain also brings valuable lower-order batting, making him a strong all-round option for the team.

The 33-year-old has earned this opportunity through years of consistent performances in domestic cricket. He played a key role in Madhya Pradesh's historic Ranji Trophy title win in the 2021-22 season. In the final against Mumbai, he scored an important half-century in the first innings and also took crucial wickets to help his team secure a first-innings lead and win their maiden title.

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The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee rewarded Jain for his excellent performances on the recent India A tour of Sri Lanka. In the second unofficial Test, he claimed six wickets and scored an unbeaten 70, proving his ability in spin-friendly conditions. Although he has remained unsold in the IPL auctions from 2024 to 2026, his consistent displays in red-ball cricket have finally earned him a place in India's Test squad.

Saransh Jain stats, age, IPL career & everything to know before IND vs SL Tests

Saransh Jain is one of the most successful performers in Indian domestic cricket. Born in Indore, the 33-year-old is a right-arm off-spinner and a dependable lower-order batter. He has built his reputation through consistent performances in red-ball cricket. In 54 First-Class matches, Jain has taken 188 wickets in 97 innings and scored 2,223 runs in 85 innings at an average of 31.75, including two centuries and 14 half-centuries. He has also claimed 38 wickets in List A cricket and 18 wickets in T20S.

Jain has earned his maiden India Test call-up as a replacement for Washington Sundar. With Sri Lanka expected to offer spin-friendly conditions, the selectors wanted a specialist off-spinner to complement Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Manav Suthar. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable all-round option for the Indian team.

Cricket has always been a part of Jain's family. His father, Subodh Jain, was also a right-arm off-spinner who represented Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy. During the early years of Saransh's career, his father underwent cancer surgery while he was on a cricket tour in Australia. Unable to speak after the operation, Subodh wrote his son a handwritten note, encouraging him to stay focused on cricket. Saransh has kept that note with him ever since and has often drawn inspiration from it during his long journey to the national team.

Although Saransh Jain has never played in the IPL, his consistent performances in domestic cricket have finally earned him an opportunity with Team India. His maiden Test call-up is a reward for years of hard work, patience, and determination. Now, as he prepares for the Test series against Sri Lanka, the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder has the chance to begin a new chapter in his cricket career and prove himself at the highest level.

India Test squad vs Sri Lanka: Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal and Saransh Jain.