Emerging Indian Cricketers Saransh Jain and Aquib Nabi Gear Up for Test Debut Against Sri Lanka

As the first Test against Sri Lanka approaches, uncapped Indian players Saransh Jain and Aquib Nabi reflect on their cricketing journeys and the excitement of representing their country. Saransh, a seasoned all-rounder, and Aquib, a pace sensation, share their experiences leading up to this significant moment in their careers. With the series being part of the World Test Championship, both players are eager to make their mark on the international stage. Discover their inspiring stories and the challenges they faced on their path to the national team.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 13, 2026, 12:29 IST

Exciting Times for Uncapped Players

Galle [Sri Lanka], August 13: Indian cricket newcomers Saransh Jain and Aquib Nabi shared their thoughts on their recent call-ups to the national team, discussing their cricketing journeys and mental preparation ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka, commencing on August 15.

India is set to face Sri Lanka in two pivotal matches as part of the World Test Championship (WTC), with the initial match taking place in Galle. Saransh Jain, a spin-bowling all-rounder hailing from Madhya Pradesh, has received his first Test call-up, while Aquib Nabi, a promising pace bowler from Jammu and Kashmir, steps in as a replacement for the injured Jasprit Bumrah.

In a video shared by the BCCI, Saransh recounted the moment he learned about his selection while driving to a temple. With over ten years of domestic cricket experience since his Ranji Trophy debut in the 2014-15 season, he felt a smooth transition into the national setup, having previously played alongside many of his teammates.

Saransh stated, "I found out about my selection on my phone while driving to a temple. The atmosphere felt quite similar to that of the Ranji Trophy. I have played with about 70 to 80 percent of these players, so I blended in quickly." He emphasized the importance of patience in Test cricket, recalling advice from his father, Subodh, a former Ranji player, who encouraged him to remain patient as success would come in time.

Reflecting on his journey, Saransh noted, "I made my Ranji Trophy debut in 2014-15, and it has been a long road filled with hard work and sacrifices. I always believed I would play for India one day, and my family has been instrumental in that journey. My dad advised me to stay patient; things will come to you naturally."

Throughout his 54 first-class matches, Saransh has accumulated 2,223 runs in 85 innings, averaging 31.75, with two centuries and 14 fifties. He has also claimed 188 wickets at an average of 27.30, including ten four-wicket hauls and five five-wicket hauls, with best figures of 6/75.

Conversely, Aquib shared that he was at the airport preparing to board a flight to Bengaluru for a BCCI Centre of Excellence camp when he received the news to head to Sri Lanka instead.

He expressed, "I was at the airport, ready to fly to Bangalore for a camp, but then I was told to go to Sri Lanka. It was unbelievable and unexpected since the squad had already been announced. I knew I had to work even harder. The atmosphere here is fantastic, and sharing the nets and dressing room with players I’ve seen on TV is a huge honor for me."

Aquib played a crucial role in Jammu and Kashmir's first Ranji Trophy victory this year, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 60 wickets at an impressive average of 12.56, including best figures of 7/24, along with two four-wicket hauls and seven five-wicket hauls.

Despite his outstanding performances, Aquib maintained that he focused on his game rather than dwelling on expectations for an Indian call-up, believing that hard work would eventually lead to recognition. "I had hopes, but it’s essential to maintain a cricketer’s mindset and keep striving. I knew I would eventually make it to the Indian team. I’ve been performing well for years and felt that my efforts would pay off. My family is thrilled; nothing could be more significant than this for me," he concluded.

This series is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, India currently ranks fifth in the World Test Championship standings, with four wins and four losses in nine matches, achieving a Points Percentage (PCT) of 48.150.

The Indian squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka includes: Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, and Aquib Nabi.