1 week ago
Saransh Jain’s Red-Ball Commitment Earns India Test Debut
Saransh Jain wanted to become better at the kind of bowling used in Test matches.
He even gave up a chance to work as a net bowler for an IPL team.
Instead, he spent more time practising with the red ball.
His coach, Chandrakant Pandit, believed Jain could become a very good off-spinner.
Jain also bowls from around the wicket, which his coach considers unusual.
Earlier, Jain sometimes lacked confidence because he did not play regularly.
He worked on his batting too because players selected for India need to contribute in more than one way.
His hard work led to his India Test debut against Sri Lanka.
Saransh Jain became India’s 320th Test player after receiving his cap before the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
During IPL 2024, Jain chose to leave a Kolkata Knight Riders net-bowler stint to concentrate on red-ball cricket.
Madhya Pradesh coach Chandrakant Pandit praised Jain’s self-belief and backed him despite his earlier lack of regular game time.
Pandit highlighted Jain’s unusual ability to bowl off-spin from around the wicket and his preference for flight and turn.
Jain also improved his batting after recognising that all-round contributions could help him earn India selection.
- Who
- Saransh Jain, supported by Madhya Pradesh coach Chandrakant Pandit, made his India Test debut.
- What
- Jain received India’s 320th Test cap and debuted in the second Test against Sri Lanka.
- Where
- Colombo, Sri Lanka, with Jain representing India after developing through Madhya Pradesh cricket.
- When
- Sunday, ahead of the second Test; the decision to focus on red-ball cricket was made during IPL 2024.
- Why
- Jain prioritised red-ball skills, improved his bowling and batting, and received backing for his potential as a Test off-spinner.
Key facts
- Test cap
- Saransh Jain became India’s 320th Test player.
- Debut match
- India’s second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
- Red-ball decision
- Jain chose to focus on red-ball cricket rather than continue as a Kolkata Knight Riders net bowler during IPL 2024.
- Coach
- Chandrakant Pandit coaches Jain at Madhya Pradesh.
- Bowling style
- Jain is noted for bowling off-spin from around the wicket.
- Bowling approach
- He emphasises flight, turn and variations rather than simply bowling flatter.
- Batting development
- Jain increased his attention to batting and contributed with runs for Madhya Pradesh.
Quotes
Chandrakant Pandit
Madhya Pradesh coach and Jain's coach
“Saransh is the only unique bowler that I have found in terms of bowling around the wicket. Recently, I have seen many state level spinners, who have been copying his style.”
rediff.com
“He needs to contribute in batting whenever he gets selected for India, which he probably realised. He has taken a lot of initiative in practising his batting as well.”
rediff.com
Sources
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