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Saransh Jain's Selection for Sri Lanka Tour

Madhya Pradesh's all-rounder Saransh Jain, who has yet to play for the national team, recently received his first call-up for the Indian squad for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. The 33-year-old expressed his unwavering belief in his potential to join Team India, stating that 'age is merely a number.' His inclusion in the team comes after Washington Sundar was sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Saransh, a left-handed batsman and off-spinner, boasts impressive statistics with 2,223 runs at an average of 31.75 and 188 wickets at an average of 27.30 across 54 first-class matches. He has also participated in 67 List A and T20 matches, although he excels in red-ball cricket.

A Moment of Joy

In an interview with JioStar, Saransh shared the moment he learned about his selection. He was en route to a temple when he discovered the news. For him, being selected for the national team was a 'fantastic feeling' and a result of 26 years of dedication and hard work.

While driving, he noticed numerous missed calls and messages on his phone. A friend congratulated him, prompting Saransh to inquire about the reason. Surprised by the early morning announcement, he pulled over to confirm the news. 'It was a fantastic feeling,' he recalled, noting the emotional reactions from his family upon his return home.

A Family Dream Realized

Saransh emphasized that his achievement is a 'shared dream' with his family, built on years of sacrifices in a cricket-obsessed nation where many aspire to don the national jersey. He acknowledged the crucial role his family played in his journey.

'Making it to the Indian squad among millions is no small feat, and family support has been essential. There were challenging times when I could have faltered, but my family remained steadfast, allowing me to pursue my dream of playing for India,' he stated.

Age is Just a Number

Reflecting on his selection at 33, Saransh remarked, 'Age is just a number. The current standards of fielding are so high that age doesn't matter on the field. I was confident that if I didn't make it this time, I would have the opportunity in the next year or two.'

The Path to Cricket

Looking back on his cricketing journey, Saransh recounted his early days playing tennis ball cricket with his father and brother before transitioning to leather ball cricket. He made his senior debut in the 2014-15 season, where he took five wickets in his first match against Tamil Nadu, a team featuring seasoned players like Dinesh Karthik. This experience taught him that success in cricket comes from hard work and discipline.

'Since my youth, consistency has been my primary focus. I aim to hit the same spot repeatedly, knowing that batsmen will eventually take risks. I am not overthinking the conditions in Sri Lanka; I am concentrating on the fundamentals,' he added.

Inspiration and Role Models

Saransh credited his father, a former Ranji player, as his inspiration for pursuing cricket. He also looks up to spin legends Ravichandran Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh, having learned from their bowling techniques.

'I play cricket for my father, who is my ultimate idol. Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin are my role models. Although I haven't interacted with them extensively, I've gained a lot by studying their bowling clips. During a camp at the Centre of Excellence, I learned valuable lessons from Harbhajan Singh,' he shared.

'He advised me that you don't have to lose something to gain something; hard work is essential. Those words resonate with me whenever I push myself,' he concluded.