Madhya Pradesh all‑rounder Saransh Jain made his international debut in the second Test between India and Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo from August 23 to 27, 2026. The right‑arm off‑break bowler was called into the squad to replace left‑arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who was recovering from a viral infection.
India had already secured a thumping 165‑run victory in the opening Test at Galle, setting up the second match as an opportunity to clinch the series and record a memorable whitewash. In light of this, Jain was selected ahead of the experienced Kuldeep Yadav.
In the second Test, Sri Lanka reached 429 for 9 in their second innings after India enforced the follow‑on, having built a 213‑run first‑innings lead. The match ended in a draw thanks to a sensational knock by Sonal Dinusha.
Making his debut, Jain took three wickets while conceding 167 runs in the Colombo Test. The pitch favoured spinners throughout, providing turning surfaces that aided his bowling.
Gavaskar’s critique of Jain’s bowling approach
“The debutant off‑spinner looked like an honest trier but offered little variety to trouble top‑level batters. While he may have been nervous making his first international appearance, there was no deception in the air and an over‑reliance on pitch assistance,” Gavaskar told Mid‑day.
“If they could not dismiss the lower‑order batters on a pitch that provided some turn, it makes Indian cricket fans a bit nervous. There was a sameness to the bowling. On a pitch that slowed as the match progressed, the fast bowlers struggled to get the ball up toward the batters’ shoulders. Perhaps the extra pace and height of Gurnoor Brar could have helped,” he added.
Impact of Kuldeep Yadav’s absence
“Kuldeep Yadav’s absence also did not help, as a quality wrist‑spinner can usually get the lower‑order batters out in a jiffy,” Gavaskar concluded.
