Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain has secured his maiden selection in the Indian Test squad for the upcoming series in Sri Lanka next month. Rather than starting out at a formal commercial academy, his cricket journey began on the rooftop of his family home in Indore. Following the announcement of his selection, celebrations erupted at his household. His father, Subodh Jain, previously played Ranji Trophy cricket for Madhya Pradesh and spent countless hours training a young Saransh on their terrace.
Rooftop Practice and Playing Through Injuries
Saransh's mother, Sangeeta Jain, recalled that whenever her husband had free time, he would set up a practice net on the roof to train their son. During these intense training sessions, Saransh would frequently injure his hands while batting, but he never stepped back. Instead, he would simply wrap a bandage around his hand and resume his practice drills. She also noted that during his childhood, the constant cricket practice on the roof occasionally caused trouble for the neighbors.
Broken Windows and a Father's Vision
The practice sessions frequently resulted in stray shots breaking the glass windows of nearby houses. Whenever that happened, Subodh Jain would assure the neighbors that he would replace the glass, while predicting that this very child would one day make them proud. On the field, Saransh possesses a unique combination of skills as a right-arm off-spin bowler who bats left-handed.
The Shift to Left-Handed Batting
Saransh's elder brother, Saurabh Jain, explained that Saransh initially batted right-handed simply by imitating him. However, their father noticed one day that Saransh looked much more comfortable and played better shots from the left side. Consequently, his father encouraged him to adopt left-handed batting permanently.
Proving His Worth Through First-Class Cricket
Subodh Jain observed that while many modern cricketers break into the national team on the strength of Indian Premier League performances, his son earned his spot through relentless dedication in first-class cricket. Describing his fighting spirit, his father stated that Saransh plays like a true warrior on the field and never stops until he achieves what he sets out to do. The family is now eagerly anticipating the moment Saransh steps onto the field wearing India's traditional white Test jersey.
