Aakash Chopra, former Indian opener, made a huge statement about Saransh Jain, the 33-year-old spinner who was chosen to replace injured Washington Sundar in India's squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. India will play two Test matches in Sri Lanka starting on August 15 in Galle.

Saransh Jain received his first call-up for India after an outstanding Ranji Trophy 2025–2026 season. But with three spinners—Manav Suthar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav—already in the squad, Aakash Chopra claimed that the all-rounder might not make his international debut.

"I feel Saransh will not play. Sri Lanka's team is not announced, but there are chances there will be only one left-hander. You already have four spinners, and he is the fourth. I think Saransh will not get a chance. This has happened before as well. It was unfair on Abhimanyu Easwaran also, as he did not get enough chances. That is a bit of a concern and challenge. After domestic performances, we do bring players forward, but many times the doors do not completely open. Sometimes it's just plain unfortunate. You can be happy that you at least got selected," Chopra said in a video on his social media.

Saransh Jain scored 518 runs from seven games in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 at an average of 57.55 with one hundred and three half-centuries. He also picked up 30 wickets at an average of 20.43 with best figures of 6/75.

Further adding to his statement that Saransh Jain is not making his India debut in Sri Lanka, Chopra stated that Jain might not have been in the India squad if Sundar were fit.

Saransh might not have been directly chosen as an additional spinner given the circumstances, he said, but he might at least compete for a berth in the squad for the New Zealand tour.

"Looking from Saransh's perspective, if Washington was fit, his name would not even come. And an extra spinner cannot go to New Zealand anyway. So, in that sense at least, he is in line now. But I doubt that he will get a Test debut. I don't see it happening in this series,” Chopra added.

India will travel to New Zealand for a full series of two tests, five ODIs, and five T20Is later this year.