India has announced the 15-man squad for the two-match Test series against Australia, with Shubman Gill as the captain and KL Rahul appointed as the vice-captain.
The squad features the return of Ravindra Jadeja after the Test series against England last year. Notable players such as Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Rishabh Pant, and Devdutt Padikkal are also retained in the team.
A significant surprise in the squad is the inclusion of 33-year-old all-rounder Saransh Jain from Madhya Pradesh. He idolizes Ravi Ashwin, bowls off-spin, and has a knack for performing under pressure. Saransh has been a consistent performer for the Madhya Pradesh Ranji team over the years, being a key player in many of their victories.
Consistent Domestic Form Finally Pays Off
He had his best Ranji Trophy season in 2025-26, scoring 518 runs at an average of 57.55 and taking 30 wickets at an average of 20.43. His strong domestic performance continued during the Duleep Trophy, where he excelled for the Central Zone, scoring two half-centuries and taking 16 wickets in just two matches, earning the Player of the Series award. He also served as one of the net bowlers for India's recent Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, which further bolstered his case for national selection.
Can Saransh Jain Break Into India's Playing XI?
Saransh's addition to the squad is partly due to his performance with the India ‘A’ team during their tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year, where he adapted well to the conditions. India usually prefers to play three spinners against Sri Lanka, alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. It will likely be a decision between Manav Suthar, who had a fantastic debut against Afghanistan, or Saransh Jain, who may get the opportunity to start due to his off-spin capabilities. Stay tuned for more updates.
