Harbhajan Singh instrumental in Saransh Jain’s India call-up
At 33, Madhya Pradesh off-spinner Saransh Jain secured his first India call-up on Tuesday after catching the attention of former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh during a five-day camp. Four months later, Jain is set to fly to Sri Lanka for the two-match Test series that begins on August 15 in Galle.
Jain, who brings a wealth of domestic cricket experience, earned the maiden national selection following his stint at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. It was during that five-day camp that the spinner impressed Harbhajan Singh and "caught the legend's eye." The selection marks a significant career milestone for the 33-year-old Madhya Pradesh player and places him in the squad for the upcoming Test assignments.
The five-day camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru served as the setting where Harbhajan Singh observed Jain’s skills closely. Harbhajan, a former India off-spinner, identified qualities in Jain’s bowling that contributed to his elevation to the national setup. Jain’s progress through domestic ranks and his performances at the CoE combined to put him on the selectors’ radar ahead of the Sri Lanka tour.
The selectors announced the call-up on Tuesday, confirming Jain’s inclusion in the touring party. Four months later, the off-spinner will board a flight to Sri Lanka for the two-match Test series, starting on August 15 in Galle. The schedule gives Jain the opportunity to integrate with the national squad on foreign soil and prepare for the conditions expected in the island nation.
For Saransh Jain, the timing of this selection is notable: at 33 he receives his first chance at the international level after a lengthy domestic career. The recognition by a high-profile former international like Harbhajan Singh underscores the weight of the endorsement that accompanied his performance at the CoE. The two-match Test series in Sri Lanka offers the immediate target around which his initial national-team involvement will revolve.
Jain’s call-up reflects a pathway that linked domestic experience, focused preparation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru and the endorsement of a former international off-spinner. With the series set to begin on August 15 in Galle, Jain will travel to Sri Lanka as part of the squad for the two-match Test series, aiming to make the most of this first national selection.
