The 33-year-old Saransh Jain was handed maiden Test call-up as the BCCI announced India's squad for the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka. Madhya Pradesh all-rounder has earned his opportunity following consistent domestic performances and an impressive India A tour.
If Saransh Jain breaks into India's playing XI in Galle, he won't just achieve his dream of representing the country. He will also join an extremely exclusive club by becoming only the third Indian cricketer to make his international debut before playing a single IPL match since the league began in 2008.
The Indian Premier League has become the primary pathway to international cricket for most players over the past 18 years. Strong IPL performances have helped countless cricketers earn national call-ups across all three formats.
However, a handful of players have travelled the opposite route by making their India debut before featuring in the IPL. Since the inaugural IPL season in 2008, only Murali Vijay and Mohammed Shami have achieved that feat.
Saransh Jain now has the chance to become the third Indian on that list. Having never played in the IPL despite years of domestic success, the left-handed all-rounder could create a unique piece of history if India hand him his Test cap in Sri Lanka.
Who are the two players?
Murali Vijay
Murali Vijay became the first Indian cricketer to debut for the national team before appearing in the IPL.
The right-handed opener made his Test debut against Australia in Nagpur on November 6, 2008, during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. At that stage, the inaugural IPL season had already concluded, but Vijay had not featured in the tournament.
He made his IPL debut the following year after being signed by Chennai Super Kings, beginning what turned into a successful IPL career alongside his rise as one of India's leading Test openers.
Mohammed Shami
The second player to achieve the feat was Mohammed Shami. After impressing in domestic cricket, the Bengal pacer made his ODI debut against Pakistan in Delhi on January 6, 2013.
Only later that year did Shami make his IPL debut for Kolkata Knight Riders, meaning he had already represented India before playing his first IPL match.
Saransh Jain is in contention for Test team for Sri Lanka series.Only two Indian players have made India debut before IPL debut since IPL started.Murali Vijay in TestMohammed Shami in ODIWill Saransh join them?
— Ajinkya Dhamdhere (@ajinkyasd) July 27, 2026
Can Saransh Jain make his Test debut in Sri Lanka?
Saransh Jain's inclusion in the squad has certainly strengthened his chances, but a place in the playing XI is far from guaranteed.
India's likely XI for the first Test appears to include Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav as the three spin options, especially with Washington Sundar unavailable for the opening Test. That combination offers a balance of experience, wicket-taking ability and lower-order batting, making it the most likely choice for the Galle conditions.
The expected spin-friendly surface in Sri Lanka could have worked in Saransh Jain's favour, but India's current combination already provides multiple slow-bowling options. As a result, the 33-year-old may initially serve as the reserve spinning all-rounder while waiting for an opportunity.
There are also fitness factors that could influence the final XI. If Jasprit Bumrah receives clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence, India are likely to field two seamers alongside three spinners. However, if Bumrah is unavailable, Prasidh Krishna is expected to replace him rather than prompting another spin-bowling change.
That means Saransh Jain's debut is a realistic possibility during the series, but it is by no means certain for the opening Test.
If Saransh Jain receives his maiden Test cap in Sri Lanka, he will become only the third Indian player to represent the country before making an IPL appearance, joining Murali Vijay and Mohammed Shami in a very exclusive club. However, if he has to wait for his opportunity, that rare record will remain limited to just two Indian cricketers for a little longer.
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