All-rounder Saransh Jain has revealed his initial reaction after receiving his maiden call-up for the forthcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which is scheduled to start on Saturday, August 15, in Galle.
Speaking to Star Sports in an exclusive conversation, the 33-year-old off-spinner has stated that he was on his way to a temple when he got to know about his call-up from one of his cricketing friends.
“I was at a temple in the morning where I always go. When I was going to another temple from there, I saw my phone while driving, and there were 10-12 missed calls and messages. I picked up my friend’s call, who also plays cricket. He congratulated me. I asked him what for. I told him the squad wouldn’t be announced (officially) in the morning. But he told me it was. I stopped the car on the side and saw that the squad was actually announced,” Saransh Jain said in an exclusive interview with Star Sports.
Later, Saransh credited his family members for supporting him when there were many instances when he could have broken down, adding that he always wanted to represent India in the red-ball format of the game.
“It is hard work and discipline of 26 years. When I went back home, my father, brother, wife, mother, and everyone were emotional. It was a common dream for all, and everybody had made sacrifices. It is not easy to be picked in a 15-member squad in India. Family support is very important. There were many times when I could have broken down, but they supported me and managed things,” he added.
“My dream was also to play Test cricket for India right from the start. I like red-ball cricket anyway. I am very happy, as the patience needed in red-ball cricket comes with experience match by match. Age is just a number. If you are fit, it does not look like you are old. 33 is just a number. If not now, in the next one or two years, I would definitely play for India,” he concluded.
India’s squad for Tests against Sri Lanka: Shubman Gill [C], KL Rahul [VC], Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant [WK], Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel [WK], Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain
*Subject to fitness clearance from CoE
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