Saransh Jain Joins Elite List of India Stars Who Debuted Internationally Before IPL
The 33-year-old's Test cap in Colombo places him among a rare group of Indian cricketers who reached the national team before their first IPL game.
Saransh Jain achieved a lifelong dream on August 23 when he made his Test debut for India against Sri Lanka in Colombo. The Madhya Pradesh cricketer, aged 33, became the oldest Indian to debut in Tests in the 21st century, and his journey to the international stage came before ever playing in the IPL.
Jain's achievement places him in an unusual list. Murali Vijay was the first Indian to do so, earning his Test debut against Australia in Nagpur in November 2008 after Gautam Gambhir was suspended. He didn't feature in the IPL until 2009, when Chennai Super Kings picked him and he played his first match in May.
Similarly, Mohammed Shami made his ODI debut against Pakistan in Delhi in January 2013, his Test debut later that year, and his IPL debut only in April 2013 for Kolkata Knight Riders. These players show that international recognition can sometimes arrive before the franchise cricket spotlight.