Saransh Jain had a memorable day in the cricket field as he made his Test debut for India against Sri Lanka on the second day of the two-match series in Colombo. He is his 33-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder’s first test for India and the first since Kuldeep Yadav was in the playing XI. He is also the 320th person to represent India in Test cricket.
For Saransh, however, the significance of the occasion went much beyond being another name on India’s long list of Test cricketers. That moment was deeply personal as he said his father was a big reason for him to take up cricket. When he received his Test cap, Saransh got emotional when he said the person who inspired him to pick up the sport.
Saransh said his father was the first person he wanted to tell about his Test debut. He said his career started because of his father and he is going to continue playing for him. The emotional message was emotional and took the listener into his real life story behind his long-awaited India debut.
The all-rounder thanked God and his family before he talked about the close bond he has with his father. For a player who had spent years working his way through domestic cricket before getting his chance at the top level, the selection of India cap represented the culmination of a long road.
Another special touch to the story was how that particular player who presented Saransh with his Test cap. India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja gave him the cap at Sinhalese Sports Club, which was so special for Saransh, who himself is a spin-bowling all-rounder.
Saransh called Jadeja a legend and said receiving the cap from an experienced all-rounder would motivate him. He also spoke of his desire to make the most of the opportunity in order to realise his vision of being an all-rounder in India.
Jadeja offered Saransh some valuable advice ahead of his first appearance in Test cricket. Rather than let the significance of the occasion increase pressure on him, Jadeja advised the debutant to treat the match like another First-Class match.
In a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Jadeja congratulated Saransh for winning the Test cap number 320. He also talked about how hard work the debutant had put into domestic cricket over the last few years, including in the Ranji Trophy and India A.
Jadeja told Saransh that representing India in Test cricket is a dream for every cricketer and Saransh should enjoy the success rather than get overwhelmed by it. His message also stressed the importance of trusting the skills that had helped Saransh make his place.
The senior all-rounder further reminded Saransh that he would have the support of his teammates throughout the match. Jadeja encouraged him to approach the game the same way he had approached domestic First-Class cricket, not to put additional pressure on himself just because it was an international match.
Saransh’s journey to the Indian Test team has so far been based on hard work, family support and the success of domestic cricket too. He was 33 and had been waiting for years for the opportunity to represent India at the top level. His emotional tribute to his father was even more memorable.
As Saransh starts his Test career, the advice from Jadeja could be equally important. With his domestic cricket background and his ability to play for India as an all-rounder he will now attempt to make the most of his chance in the Indian team. For Saransh every run, wicket and performance from now on will be a tribute to the one person who first inspired him to pick up a cricket ball - his father.
