Sri Lanka: Handed a Test debut in the second game against Sri Lanka after years of relentless toil in domestic cricket, off-spin bowling all-rounder Saransh Jain expressed deep gratitude to God and his family after receiving his cap from veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Saransh, who came into the playing eleven in place of left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, was presented with Test cap number 320 in the team huddle ahead of the toss. "Whenever a player starts playing cricket, his dream is to play for India and I have achieved it today. So, I am very grateful and thanks to God and family who supported me and I got this achievement," Saransh said in a video posted on the BCCI's social media channels on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Saransh, 33, boasts of an impressive domestic record, having featured in 54 First-Class matches, scoring 2,223 runs at an average of 31.75 while picking up 188 wickets at an average of 27.30. He had also made a strong mark during the India 'A' tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year, where he had a standout performance of hitting an unbeaten 70 with the bat and picking a six-wicket haul.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Apart from being the 320th men’s Test player for India, Saransh has also become the fifth player from Indore to play for the country in the red-ball format after Narendra Hirwani, Rajesh Chauhan, Naman Ojha, and Rajat Patidar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He’s also the oldest India player to play Tests after turning 33 since Robin Singh in 1998. Interestingly, Saransh is the third player after Murali Vijay and Mohammed Shami to make his Test debut before getting an IPL contract.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Reflecting on receiving the cap from Jadeja, Saransh expressed his delight at being presented the honour by someone he looks up to a lot. “Jaddu bhai himself is such a great legend and if I get a cap from him, it will be a great benefit for me. So, I am very happy and I wanted to get a cap from an all-rounder who will motivate me because I am also an all-rounder and I will try to fulfil that,” he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He’s also the oldest India player to play Tests after turning 33 since Robin Singh in 1998. Interestingly, Saransh is the third player after Murali Vijay and Mohammed Shami to make his Test debut before getting an IPL contract.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
“So, I think this will be a very important opportunity for you in life because as a cricketer everyone has a dream to represent India and become a Test player. I think you should enjoy this moment, and don't take pressure at all because just like you have done so many matches in domestic cricket, play like you are playing a first-class match. For the rest of the support, 14 more players are with you. So, enjoy this moment instead of pressure, okay? All the best,” he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n