India will play two Tests in Sri Lanka starting on August 15 in Galle.
The 33-year-old has vast experience in Indian domestic cricket, having taken 188 wickets and scored 2223 runs in 54 First-Class games. He has scored two centuries and 14 fifties and has taken 10 five-wicket hauls as well, with best bowling figures of 6/75.
Saransh Jain shared his joy on social media with a post on Instagram and also mentioned Harbhajan Singh when they had interacted during a five-day camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
“Thank you, Paaji @harbhajan3, for the amazing sessions. Truly learned a lot and looking forward to many more! Kuch paane ke liye kuch khona nahi, kuch karna padta hai.” These weren’t just words—they were deeply felt and will stay with me,” Jain posted on Instagram.
Harbhajan Singh praised Saransh Jain in an interview with Times of India. Saransh impressed selectors in his outing for India. Against Sri Lanka A, Saransh picked up seven wickets in the two unofficial Tests.
He helped India win by 10 wickets in the second game by taking six wickets and scoring an undefeated 70 in the first innings.
"He is a very humble guy who knows exactly what he needs to do. I wish him all the very best because this is a special moment for him, his family, and everyone who has supported him. He has worked incredibly hard and spent many years in domestic cricket, which, in many ways, is tougher than people realize. Bowling long spells of 40 or 50 overs across a match teaches you a lot. The more you bowl, the more you learn,” Harbhajan Singh said to the Times of India.
Saransh Jain got an opportunity in the absence of Washington Sundar, who is injured. He will be the fourth spinner in the Indian squad after Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, and Kuldeep Yadav. If he makes his India debut, Saransh will become the first India player to debut after the age of 33 since Robin Singh in 1998.
"At 33, he is still young for a spinner, but he now has the experience of bowling to some of the best players of spin in domestic cricket. I am grateful that I got the opportunity to spend four or five days with him. The first thing I noticed was his action. He has a very good action and keeps things simple. He isn't trying too many fancy variations. He has a lot of experience, an excellent seam position, and tremendous control. Those qualities make a big difference.
What impressed me the most was his attitude. His mindset is always about taking wickets. Today, many bowlers are focused on simply getting through their overs instead of thinking about dismissing batters. A bowler's primary job has always been to take wickets, not just contain runs," Harbhajan Singh said.
In the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, Jain scored 518 runs at an average of 57.55 and took 30 wickets at 20.43. That followed a remarkable Duleep Trophy campaign for Central Zone, in which he struck two half-centuries and took 16 wickets in just two games to win Player of the Series and lead Central Zone to their first title in 11 years.
Harbhajan Singh thinks Saransh has the necessary skill set to flourish at the international level, regardless of whether he gets the opportunity to make his India debut.
"He is not a batter who can bowl off-spin. He is an off-spinner who is hungry to take wickets and knows how to put a price on his wicket with the bat in his hands," says Harbhajan.
(Times of India inputs)