Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 28: Uncapped off-spin all-rounder Saransh Jain has earned his maiden Test call-up after being named in India's 15-member squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka beginning in August.
The 33-year-old replaces Washington Sundar, who has been ruled out of the first Test with a hamstring injury. Saransh's selection follows a string of consistent performances for Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket and India 'A'.
Experienced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja returns to the squad after being rested for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June.
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and batter Sai Sudharsan have also been included, subject to fitness clearance. However, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, has not been selected.
The squad comprises Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal and Saransh Jain.
Saransh has built an impressive first-class record, claiming 188 wickets in 54 matches at an average of 27.30. The left-handed batter has also scored 2,223 runs at an average of 31.75, including two centuries and 14 half-centuries.
He played a key role in Central Zone's Duleep Trophy triumph last year, taking 16 wickets and scoring 136 runs in two matches. He followed that with an outstanding 2025-26 Ranji Trophy campaign, scoring 518 runs at an average of 57.55 and picking up 30 wickets at 20.43.
Saransh also impressed during India 'A''s recent tour of Sri Lanka, taking seven wickets across two unofficial Tests and scoring an unbeaten 70 in the second match.
Among the notable omissions are Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Vidarbha all-rounder Harsh Dubey, all of whom were part of the squad for the Afghanistan Test.
The BCCI confirmed Sundar has been ruled out of the opening Test but did not specify whether he could return for the second match.
Bumrah is awaiting fitness clearance after sustaining an impact injury to his left knee during India's recent tour of England, while Sudharsan is also awaiting medical clearance after recovering from an injury sustained during the unofficial Test series against Sri Lanka 'A'.
Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, who claimed seven wickets on his Test debut against Afghanistan, has retained his place and could compete with Saransh Jain and Kuldeep Yadav for a place in the playing XI if India opts for three specialist spinners.
India's pace attack will be led by Bumrah and includes Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar, who claimed 10 wickets in the second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka 'A'.
The batting unit remains largely unchanged, with Devdutt Padikkal included as the reserve batter and Dhruv Jurel named as the second wicketkeeper behind Rishabh Pant. KL Rahul continues as vice-captain under skipper Shubman Gill.
The first Test will be played in Galle from August 15, while the second Test begins in Colombo on Aug 23. India will also play a four-day warm-up match in Colombo starting August 7.