Saransh Jain’s years of perseverance in domestic cricket finally paid off on Tuesday after the BCCI included the 33-year-old off-spinner in India’s squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder received his maiden national call-up after Washington Sundar was sidelined with an injury, creating an opportunity he had long worked towards.
Among those best qualified to evaluate Jain’s abilities is Harbhajan Singh, who closely observed him during a specialist off-spin camp at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. In an exclusive conversation, the former India spinner spoke highly of Jain, praising both his skill and temperament while backing him to succeed at the highest level.
Speaking to TimesofIndia.com, Harbhajan said, “He is a very humble guy who knows exactly what he needs to do. I wish him all the very best because this is a special moment for him, his family and everyone who has supported him.” The legendary off-spinner added that what impressed him most was the simplicity and clarity of Jain’s approach.
“Saransh Has That Instinct”: Harbhajan On What Sets Jain Apart
According to Harbhajan, Saransh Jain’s biggest strength is his relentless wicket-taking mindset. He believes the off-spinner stands out in an era where many bowlers focus primarily on restricting runs, whereas Jain is always looking to dismiss batters and make an impact.
Harbhajan said, “As a bowler, you should dictate how the batter plays, not allow the batter to dictate terms. When you make a batter hit towards your fielders, you know you’re in control. The biggest difference I see today is that many bowlers don’t have the same hunger for wickets. Saransh has that instinct.”
He was equally taken with the technical foundations. Harbhajan noted, “He has a very good action and keeps things simple. He isn’t trying too many fancy variations. He has a lot of experience, an excellent seam position and tremendous control. Those qualities make a big difference.”
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