Veteran all-rounder Saransh Jain scripted a piece of Indian cricket history on Sunday as he received his maiden Test cap ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
At 33 years and 145 days, Saransh became India’s oldest Test debutant in the 21st century, surpassing former wicketkeeper Saba Karim, who made his debut at 32 years and 362 days against Bangladesh in 2000.
Saransh was presented with his Test cap by fellow all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. He became India’s 320th men’s Test player and the fifth cricketer from Indore to represent the country in red-ball cricket, following Narendra Hirwani, Rajesh Chauhan, Naman Ojha and Rajat Patidar.
The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder earned his opportunity after Washington Sundar suffered a hamstring injury during India’s ODI tour of England.
Saransh has an impressive domestic record, having played 54 first-class matches and scored 2,223 runs at an average of 31.75. He has also taken 188 wickets at an average of 27.30.
Earlier this year, he impressed on India A’s tour of Sri Lanka, scoring an unbeaten 70 and claiming a six-wicket haul.
His Test debut also makes him India’s first off-spinner to debut in the format since Washington Sundar in January 2021.
Despite his strong domestic performances, Saransh has never been picked by an IPL franchise, having gone unsold in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 auctions.
