Madhya Pradesh off-spinner Saransh Jain has finally earned his maiden India Test call-up after more than a decade of domestic cricket, and the 33-year-old says patience has been the cornerstone of a journey that began with his Ranji Trophy debut in the 2014-15 season. Jain is part of India's squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, with the opening match scheduled at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday.

The Moment He Found Out

Jain was on his way to a temple when the news reached him. 'When I got the call, I was in a temple. I was driving there, and I saw a call and messages in between. Then I came to know that I was selected,' he said in a video shared by the BCCI. The quiet, almost understated setting was fitting for a cricketer who has spent years waiting without fanfare.

Settling Into the India Camp

Despite the magnitude of the moment, Jain said he felt little anxiety when he joined the national squad three days before the first Test. Having played alongside most of his new teammates in domestic and India A cricket, the transition felt natural. 'When I joined the team three days ago, I didn't feel much difference. 70-80 per cent of the players I have played cricket with. So I think I have mixed up with all of them,' he said.

A Career Built on Patience and Sacrifice

Jain's path to the Test squad is one of Indian domestic cricket's more remarkable stories of persistence. In 54 first-class appearances, he has accumulated 2,223 runs and 188 wickets. His breakthrough moment came in 2022, when he claimed 13 wickets and scored a crucial fifty in the knockout stages to help Madhya Pradesh clinch their maiden Ranji Trophy title.

The 2025-26 domestic season elevated him further. Jain scored 518 runs at an average of 57.55 and took 30 wickets at 20.43. He then delivered a Player-of-the-Series performance for Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy, claiming 16 wickets and scoring two fifties in two matches. He had also served as a net bowler during India's series against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, underlining how close — yet how far — he had been from the senior setup.

Family Backing and a Father's Wisdom

Jain credits his family, particularly his father — himself a Ranji Trophy player for Madhya Pradesh — for keeping him grounded through the long wait. 'My family is behind me. My dad is a Ranji Trophy player. He told me to be patient. Things will come to you automatically,' Jain said. That counsel appears to have shaped his entire outlook on the game.

His Message to Aspiring Test Cricketers

Jain was direct about what it takes to wear the whites for India. 'You have to be patient in Test cricket. If you want to play Test cricket for India, you have to be patient. I have been patient since I started my career. I made my Ranji Trophy debut in 2014-15. It has been a long journey. It has been a lot of hard work and sacrifices. One day, I will definitely play for India. That was my feeling,' he said. With the Galle Test days away, that feeling is now on the verge of becoming reality.