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Jain was the only new face named in India’s 15-member Test squad announced on Tuesday. Pandit, who has closely followed and backed Jain since taking charge as Madhya Pradesh head coach in 2020, said the selection did not come as a surprise.
Jain has built a strong red-ball record through years of consistent performances in domestic cricket, delivering with both bat and ball without breaking into the senior national side earlier.
“During our triumphant Ranji Trophy campaign in 2022 (it was a curtailed season due to Covid), I had to fight for Saransh's inclusion in the side. To push for his case, I had to drop a senior spinner after our first match. But I was convinced that Saransh had the talent and skills to play for India one day. Today, I'm happy that our 'ultimate goal' has finally been achieved. All those sacrifices have borne fruit,” a naturally elated Pandit told TOI from Indore on Tuesday.
Jain delivered a standout performance in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, taking 30 wickets in seven matches for Madhya Pradesh at an average of 20.43, including a five-wicket haul. A few weeks ago, he also impressed during India A’s tour of Sri Lanka, claiming six wickets in two matches while scoring an unbeaten 70.
Born in Indore, Jain made his first-class debut for Madhya Pradesh during the 2014-15 season and has since become one of the team’s most reliable performers. In 54 first-class matches, the right-arm off-spinner has scored 2,223 runs at an average of 31.75 and taken 188 wickets at 27.30, establishing himself as a genuine all-rounder.
Pandit revealed that a technical change made four years ago played a key role in transforming Jain into a more effective wicket-taking bowler.
“During the 2022 Ranji Trophy, after our first match, I convinced him to bowl round the wicket. Initially, he was a bit hesitant. 'I won't get LBW decisions that way, Sir,' he told me. 'I agree, but if you bowl a particular line, your options will open. You will bring bowled, caught behind and caught in the slips dismissals into play,' I replied.”
Pandit said he showed Jain several videos explaining how the change would help him bowl a better line. The spinner began targeting the middle and off stump and soon started finding success with bowled dismissals, edges to the slips, bat-pad chances and more LBW decisions.
“It worked beautifully for him and he has now mastered it,” Pandit said.
The veteran coach added that Jain’s success has influenced other off-spinners in India.
“Today, most off-spinners in India are bowling round the wicket after seeing Saransh, who now does it from the very first ball, succeed that way. I also guided him in setting the right fields, which is crucial for an off-spinner to take wickets. He now has a very good understanding of field placements,” he explained.
Speaking about Jain’s strengths, Pandit said the spinner has the skills to perform in different conditions.
“If he gets a turning track, he will do very well. However, the line he bowls, the variations he has and the outgoing ball he bowls are all very good. He flights the ball well, so he can be effective on any pitch. Of course, we still have to see how he performs on batting-friendly tracks in international cricket,” Pandit said.
Jain’s connection with off-spin goes back to his family. His father, Subodh Jain, was also an off-spinner for Madhya Pradesh and coached him from childhood.
“Bowling off-spin runs in Saransh's blood. His father, Subodh Jain, was also an off-spinner for Madhya Pradesh. Subodh has coached him since childhood. A few years ago, Subodh retired from his State Bank of India job. He was afflicted by throat cancer. Saransh is also a good batter. He bats at No. 4 in local cricket in Indore. He gives his 100% with both bat and ball,” said Rajiv Risdodkar, a former BCCI panel umpire and current member of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association's managing committee.
Pandit believes Jain should have received his India opportunity earlier but praised his consistency despite being overlooked.
“Frankly, he should've got this opportunity a couple of years ago. It's been delayed a bit. However, he has continued to perform at the same level despite not being picked earlier. He did well for India A and also had a strong domestic season last year,” Pandit asserted.
The selection of a 33-year-old player for the Test squad has drawn criticism from some quarters, but Pandit said age should not determine selection.
“Age shouldn't be a criterion for selection. Only fitness and performance should matter. Wasim Jaffer was playing Ranji Trophy cricket for Vidarbha even after turning 40 and was performing exceptionally well. There were people doubting his selection because of his age, but I would point to his runs. Saransh is fit and a very good fielder.”
Pandit also highlighted Jain’s improvement as a batter, saying his ability to contribute runs helped strengthen his case for national selection.
“In the last few years, Saransh has improved his batting too. He scores useful runs for MP. I told him that to get into the Indian team, he needed to score a few runs as well. That is why the other off-spinners had pipped him over the last few years,” Pandit said.
In 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders called Jain for trials when Pandit was the franchise’s head coach. The experience further impressed Pandit about Jain’s mindset.
Jain attended the trials and remained with the team for almost a month. The plan was to select him as a net bowler for an IPL team, but after the trials concluded, Jain made it clear that he was not interested in that role.
“'If an IPL team picks me up directly, then that's fine, but I don't want to be a net bowler. I've refused 2-3 other teams as well,' he said.”
Pandit recalled being surprised by Jain’s decision because IPL net bowlers receive decent payment of Rs 10,000 a day, along with five-star accommodation and top-class food like the main squad players, while also getting opportunities to impress franchises.
However, Jain remained focused on becoming a quality red-ball spinner rather than pursuing an IPL net bowling opportunity.
“However, Saransh knew his worth and wasn't desperate to play in the IPL. He was focused on becoming a good red-ball spinner. That left me impressed,” Pandit recalled.
“He's a sincere, hard-working boy who stays in regular touch with me. He wants to learn every day and implements whatever you tell him,” the Madhya Pradesh head coach said.
Jain’s long wait for recognition has ended with his Test selection, marking the reward for years of domestic consistency, technical improvement and contributions with both bat and ball.a
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