When Chandrakant Pandit first observed Saransh Jain during a match-simulation session, the coach was struck by the player's technical quality, noting his loop, drift, accuracy, turn, and his fearlessness in flighting the ball. Pandit, who often acted as the umpire during these sessions, immediately told the off-spinner that he would one day play for India. At the time, the prediction seemed unlikely to the player, as he was not even a regular in the Madhya Pradesh side.
Pandit shifted the status quo, and Jain eventually became a cornerstone of the team. Since Pandit took charge in 2021, Jain has played 33 matches, a significant jump from the eight matches he featured in over the previous five seasons. The 33-year-old made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2014 and has played 54 first-class matches over 10 seasons, scoring 2,223 runs at an average of 31.75 and claiming 188 wickets at an average of 27.3. His recent domestic form was highlighted by an impressive 518 runs and 30 wickets in the last Ranji Trophy season, making him the second player after Shardul Thakur to achieve that specific double in the last five editions. He also performed well during the India A series in Sri Lanka, contributing a 75-run knock and seven wickets.
Jain’s development has been heavily influenced by his father, a former Ranji Trophy player from Madhya Pradesh who continues to coach him. His brother, Saurabh Jain, noted the family's deep cricketing culture and their pride in Saransh’s journey, particularly his performance in the 2021 Ranji Trophy final where he scored 57 runs and took two wickets in the first innings. Pandit, who suggested that Jain begin bowling from around the wicket to better challenge right-handers, believes the spinner is ready for international cricket. With Washington Sundar unavailable for the first Test, Jain’s ability to bowl accurately from both sides of the wicket makes him a strong candidate for the spin-friendly conditions in Galle. Pandit expressed satisfaction that the selectors recognized Jain’s red-ball performance, hoping it serves as motivation for other players to prioritize the format.
The reward was almost immediate. In the 2021-22 season, when Madhya Pradesh lifted the Ranji Trophy, Jain excelled in key games, taking 13 wickets and scoring 105 runs in three matches. Some of his most crucial wickets and runs came in the final against a formidable Mumbai side. He has been a regular member of the team ever since, playing 33 matches after Pandit took over in 2021. Before that, he had featured in only eight matches across five seasons.
Jain is perhaps the only off-spinner who bowls regularly from around the wicket. In fact, he begins his spell from that angle. “That is very brave of him and he can get right-handers bowled or caught in the slips. I suggested this change of angle to him. Previously, he bowled only from over the wicket, and now he can do it accurately from both sides of the wicket.”
