Saransh Jain is in line to make his India debut in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, with the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder likely to get his first opportunity in the senior side. Sources told India Today that Jain is set to feature in the next match and has a strong chance of being included in the playing XI.
India head into the Colombo Test with a 1-0 lead after a 165-run win in the series opener in Galle. The victory came in India’s 600th Test and gave the visitors an early advantage in the two-match series.
WHO IS SARANSH JAIN?
Born in Indore on March 31, 1993, Jain made his first-class debut for Madhya Pradesh in the 2014-15 season. His father, Subodh Jain, also played Ranji Trophy cricket for MP.
Subodh had ambitions of playing for India and later passed those dreams on to his sons. Jain’s elder brother was initially considered the family’s main cricketing prospect, but as his career stalled, the focus shifted to Saransh.
Jain honed his skills at Indore’s Vijay Club, where he played alongside Rajat Patidar, who went on to represent India and captain Madhya Pradesh and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
During a club tour of Australia, Jain’s father was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery. The family decided not to tell him until he returned home. Unable to speak properly after the operation, Subodh wrote a note asking his son to remain focused on cricket. Jain has kept that note with him ever since.
SARANSH’S DOMESTIC RISE
He established himself as a key red-ball player for Madhya Pradesh during their title-winning 2021-22 Ranji Trophy campaign.
He played in the quarter-final, semi-final and final, taking 13 wickets across the knockout stages. He also scored a crucial 57 in the final against Mumbai as MP won their maiden Ranji Trophy title.
Jain followed that with an impressive 2022-23 season, scoring 360 runs and taking 35 wickets. His all-round performances earned him the Lala Amarnath Award for the best all-rounder in the Ranji Trophy.
His consistency earned him an India A call-up for the series against England Lions in 2024, where he scored half-centuries in both innings.
Jain strengthened his case further in the 2025 Duleep Trophy. Representing Central Zone, he took 16 wickets in two matches and scored half-centuries in both the semi-final and final. His performances earned him the Player of the Series award.
He continued that form in the Ranji Trophy, finishing with 518 runs at an average of 57.55 and 30 wickets at 20.43.
Those performances have now put Jain firmly in contention for an India debut in Colombo.
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