Off-spin bowling all-rounder Saransh Jain will make his Test debut for India in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo beginning on Sunday, August 23.
He was seen receiving his India cap in the huddle prior to the toss. He comes into the playing XI instead of Kuldeep Yadav, who “has not fully recovered from his viral illness.”
The 33-year-old Saransh has earned his cap after years of consistent performances for Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket.
The Indore cricketer has featured in 54 First-Class matches, scoring 2,223 runs at an average of 31.75 and claiming 188 wickets at 27.30. He was also Player of the Tournament in the 2025-26 Duleep Trophy, representing Central Zone.
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An injury to Washington Sundar, India’s only specialist off-spinner during the recent tour of England, opened the door for Saransh’s inclusion in the squad for this tour.
He was also a prolific performer in the India-A tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year, scoring an unbeaten 70 and taking six wickets.
He becomes the first off-spinner since Washington in January 2021 to debut for India.
Published on Aug 23, 2026
