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Saransh Jain made his Test debut for India against Sri Lanka in August 2026 and returned with three wickets across the match. The off-spinner bowled 57.4 overs in the game, taking 2/69 in the first innings and 1/98 in the second.
Jain has now opened up about his first experience with the Indian team, revealing the message he received from head coach Gautam Gambhir before making his Test debut. He also recalled receiving his India cap from Ravindra Jadeja and explained what the milestone meant to him.
I never felt like an outsider - Saransh Jain on his experience with Indian team
Saransh Jain said playing for India had been one of his two biggest cricketing dreams since he started playing the sport. He explained that the welcoming atmosphere inside the Indian dressing room helped him settle quickly despite the occasion being his international debut.
“This natural adaptability was precisely what Jain leaned on when he was first drafted into the Indian dressing room in Sri Lanka.”
“When you start playing cricket, you have two dreams: first, to play Ranji Trophy… and second, to play for the Indian team. Getting what you’ve waited for over such a long time brings a unique excitement," Saransh Jain said in an interview with RevSportz.
Jain credited Gambhir, captain Shubman Gill and senior players for making his transition easier.
“I never felt like an outsider or had any hesitation talking to anyone, whether it was GG sir, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, or Rishabh Pant,” he added.
However, the night before his debut still brought the pressure that comes with a lifelong achievement. Gautam Gambhir had already spoken to Jain about handling those emotions. He said:
“He told me, ‘I know it’s your first game, you might not be able to sleep tonight. But don’t fight it if you feel pressure; just accept it. I did get some sleep, but it was a bit late. I tried not to let it happen, but naturally, the pressure gets to you a bit.”
When Jaddu bhai gave me the cap, the feeling was completely different - Saransh Jain
Saransh Jain's Test debut became even more special when Ravindra Jadeja presented him with his India cap. He received cap number 320 before the match, an occasion that he said gave him goosebumps.
“When Jaddu bhai gave me the cap, the feeling was completely different. It gave me goosebumps. I felt I bowled well, but luck wasn’t entirely on my side. But based on the calibre of the bowler I am, I felt I need to do even better for my team," he added.
Jain finished with three wickets but also conceded 167 runs across the two Sri Lankan innings. He said the team did not put additional pressure on him after the game and discussed the areas he could improve.
“They just told me after the session what could be done next. They didn’t put any harsh pressure on me. Everyone knew it was a soft Kookaburra ball and my second game — my first India A game was with the Kookaburra, and my second was this Test match. The ball became soft, and the wicket felt a bit too slow. It felt like when Jaddu bhai bowled a bit quicker, it worked better,” he said.
Hunger isn’t from what people say, but from within myself to play more and do better for India - Saransh Jain
Saransh Jain believes his debut has only strengthened his desire to establish himself at the international level. He said outside criticism would not determine his approach after just one Test.
“Hunger isn’t from what people say, but from within myself to play more and do better for India. Critics will keep on criticising. If someone judges based on just one game, I don’t consider them a true cricket fan, because everyone goes through phases where they don’t take wickets for a few innings. Even legends had their struggles, but it’s their variations and actions that count.”
“When I went home, everyone was there, relatives had come over, and we celebrated. For a country of 150 crore people, wearing cap number 320 is a big deal," he added.
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