Emerging Indian Cricketers Saransh Jain and Aquib Nabi Gear Up for Test Debut Against Sri Lanka
Exciting Call-Ups for India's Test Squad
Uncapped Indian cricketers Saransh Jain and Aquib Nabi shared their thoughts on their recent selections for the national team, discussing their cricketing journeys and mental preparations ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka, set to begin on August 15.
India is set to face Sri Lanka in two pivotal matches as part of the World Test Championship (WTC), with the opening match taking place in Galle. Saransh Jain, a spin-bowling all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh, has received his first Test call-up, while Aquib Nabi, a pace bowler from Jammu and Kashmir, joins the squad as a replacement for the injured Jasprit Bumrah.
Saransh Jain: A Journey of Patience
In a video shared by the BCCI, Saransh recounted the moment he learned of his selection while driving to a temple. After over ten years in domestic cricket since his Ranji Trophy debut in the 2014-15 season, he felt comfortable joining the national team, having played alongside many of the players before. He stated, "I found out about my selection on my phone while driving. The transition from Ranji Trophy to international cricket felt seamless since I had already played with 70 to 80 percent of the team."
Saransh emphasized the importance of patience in Test cricket, recalling advice from his father, Subodh, a former Ranji player. He noted, "My father always told me to be patient; good things will come in time. It has been a long journey filled with hard work and sacrifices, but I always believed I would play for India." In his first-class career, Saransh has accumulated 2,223 runs in 54 matches, averaging 31.75, along with 188 wickets at an average of 27.30.
Aquib Nabi: A Surprising Opportunity
Aquib Nabi shared his surprise at being called up while at the airport, preparing to fly to Bengaluru for a training camp. He was informed that he would instead be heading to Sri Lanka. "I was shocked when I learned I was going to Sri Lanka instead of the CoE camp. It was unexpected since the squad had already been announced," he said.
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. He expressed that while he had hoped for an Indian call-up, he remained focused on his performance. "I always believed that if I kept working hard, my time would come. My family is thrilled; this is a dream come true for me," he concluded.
India's Squad and WTC Standing
The upcoming series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Currently, India, led by captain Shubman Gill, sits fifth in the WTC standings, with four wins and four losses across nine matches, resulting in 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.