33-year-old Saransh Jain was included in the Test squad for the first time as BCCI announced the Indian squad for the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka. The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder has got his chance after consistent domestic performances and an impressive India A tour.
If Saransh Jain gets included in India’s playing XI in Galle, he will not be able to fulfill his dream of representing the country. He will join a very exclusive club by becoming only the third Indian cricketer to make his international debut before playing a single IPL match since the league began in 2008.
Saransh Jain is chasing a rare record
The Indian Premier League has become the primary pathway to international cricket for most players over the last 18 years. Strong IPL performances have helped countless cricketers earn national call-ups across all three formats.
However, some players have traveled the opposite route by making their debut in India before participating in the IPL. Only Murali Vijay and Mohammed Shami have achieved the feat since the inaugural IPL season in 2008.
Saransh Jain now has a chance to become the third Indian in that list. If India hands the Test cap to the left-handed all-rounder, who has never played in the IPL despite years of domestic success, he can create a unique history in Sri Lanka.
Who are the two players?
Murali Vijay
Murali Vijay became the first Indian cricketer to debut for the national team before appearing in the IPL.
The right-handed opening batsman made his Test debut on 6 November 2008 against Australia at Nagpur during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. At that time, the inaugural season of the IPL had already ended, but Vijay did not take part in the tournament.
He made his IPL debut the following year after being signed by Chennai Super Kings, embarking on a successful IPL career as he emerged as one of India’s leading Test openers.
Mohammed Shami
The second player to achieve this feat was Mohammed Shami. After impressing in domestic cricket, the Bengal fast bowler made his ODI debut against Pakistan in Delhi on 6 January 2013.
Later that year, Shami made his IPL debut for Kolkata Knight Riders, meaning he had already represented India before playing his first IPL match.
Saransh Jain is a contender for the Test team for the Sri Lanka series.
Only two Indian players have made their IPL debut for India since the start of the IPL.
Murali Vijay in Test
Mohammed Shami in ODIWill Saransh join them?
– Ajinkya Dhamdhere (@ajinkyasd) July 27, 2026
Can Saransh Jain make his Test debut in Sri Lanka?
The inclusion of Saransh Jain in the team has certainly strengthened his chances, but a place in the playing eleven is not guaranteed.
India’s probable XI for the first Test includes Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav as three spin options, especially with Washington Sundar unavailable for the opening Test. This combination provides a balance of experience, wicket-taking ability and lower-order batting, making it the most likely choice for Galle conditions.
The expected spin-friendly surface in Sri Lanka could work in Saransh Jain’s favour, but India’s current combination already offers many slow bowling options. As a result, the 33-year-old may initially serve as a reserve spinning all-rounder while waiting for his opportunity.
There are also fitness factors that can affect the playing XI. If Jasprit Bumrah gets clearance from the BCCI Center of Excellence, India can field two seamers along with three spinners. However, if Bumrah is unavailable, Prasidh Krishna is expected to replace him instead of another change in spin-bowling.
This means that Saransh Jain’s debut during the series is a realistic possibility, but it is by no means certain for the opening Test.
If Saransh Jain gets his first Test cap in Sri Lanka, he will become only the third Indian player to represent the country before featuring in the IPL, joining an exclusive club along with Murali Vijay and Mohammed Shami. However, if he has to wait for his chance, that rare record will remain limited to just two Indian cricketers for some more time.