Saransh Jain: How bowling round the wicket won him India Test call-up. The 33-year-old off-spinner from Indore earned his maiden India Test squad selection for the Sri Lanka tour after consistent domestic performances and a key technical change suggested by coach Chandrakant Pandit. Pandit convinced Jain to bowl round the wicket during the 2022 Ranji Trophy, which initially made Jain hesitant about losing LBW decisions. However, Pandit explained it would bring bowled, caught behind, and slip dismissals into play, and Jain soon mastered the technique, inspiring other off-spinners.
Jain has built a strong red-ball record for Madhya Pradesh, taking 30 wickets in seven matches in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy at an average of 20.43, including a five-wicket haul. He also impressed on the India A tour of Sri Lanka, claiming six wickets in two matches and scoring an unbeaten 70. Across 54 first-class matches, he has scored 2,223 runs at 31.75 and taken 188 wickets at 27.30. His father, Subodh Jain, a former MP off-spinner, coached him from childhood.
Pandit believes Jain deserved the call-up earlier and rejects age-based criticism, stating that only fitness and performance matter. He noted that Jain improved his batting to score useful runs, which helped him get selected. In 2024, Jain refused to become a net bowler for IPL teams, including KKR, telling Pandit he wanted to focus on red-ball cricket, showing his dedication to his craft.
Saransh Jain’s story highlights the importance of technical adaptation and persistence. With strong support from his coach and father, his round-the-wicket bowling has become his strength. As he prepares for international cricket, his consistent performances and unique approach promise to add depth to India’s spin attack.