Oldest Indian Test debutant since 1998

Madhya Pradesh allrounder Saransh Jain made his Test debut for India in the second Test against Sri Lanka at the SSC Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, August 23, 2026. At 33 years and 145 days old, he became India's oldest Test debutant since Robin Singh in 1998. Veteran allrounder Ravindra Jadeja presented the debut cap to Jain before captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first.

Jain was included in the playing XI as a replacement for left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who had not fully recovered from a viral illness, according to a statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The 33-year-old offspinner and left-handed batter had accumulated over a decade of domestic experience, featuring in 54 First-Class matches for Madhya Pradesh. In that time, he scored 2,223 runs at an average of 31.75 and claimed 188 wickets at an average of 27.30.

His inclusion followed an injury to Washington Sundar during India's recent tour of England, which opened a place for another offspinner. Jain had also been a key performer on the India A tour of Sri Lanka earlier in the year. His consistent domestic performances, including being named Player of the Tournament in the...