New Delhi: All-rounder Saransh Jain etched his name in the record books on Sunday by becoming the oldest player to make his Test debut for India in the 21st century.
He made his debut in the ongoing second Test between India and at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. Jain was handed his maiden India cap by senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja before taking the field in his debut Test.
The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder became the oldest cricketer to make his Test debut for in the 21st century, at 33 years and 145 days. He also became the oldest Indian since Robin Singh (35 years and 23 days) in 1988 to feature in his first Test match for India.
Former India cricketer Rustomji Jamshedji holds the record for being the oldest on his Test debut for the country. Jamshedji was 41 years and 27 days old when he played his first Test for India against England in December 1993. His first Test proved to be his last, as he never played for India again in whites.
Overall, England’s James Southerton holds the record for being the oldest cricketer on his Test debut. Southerton was 49 years and 119 days old when he played his first Test in 1877. He played only two Test matches for England in his career.
Saransh Jain replaces Kuldeep Yadav
33-year-old Jain on Sunday replaced left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav in India’s playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Earlier reports had stated that the all-rounder was in line to replace Kuldeep in the playing XI after the spinner’s poor show in the first Test in Galle.
However, BCCI confirmed that Kuldeep was left out of the playing XI due to a viral infection. The board stated that he is yet to fully recover from his viral illness and thus has been replaced by Jain in India’s playing XI in Colombo. Kuldeep will be available as a concussion substitute if required.
“Mr Kuldeep Yadav has not fully recovered from his viral illness. He was unavailable for selection in the Playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka. However, he can take the field as a concussion substitute, if required,” the BCCI said in a statement.
Jain, a veteran all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh, has been rewarded with his maiden Test cap after years of toiling in domestic cricket. An off-spin all-rounder, the 33-year-old made his first-class debut in 2014 and has 188 wickets to his name in 54 matches at an average of 27.30. Jain has also scored 2223 runs in 54 first-class matches at an average of over 31.