Toiled a lot in domestic cricket – Sairaj Bahutule on the meteoric rise of Saransh Jain

Saransh Jain earned his debut in international cricket as part of India’s second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. The debutant has toiled relentlessly and despite the odds, he has conducted himself with great confidence. Jain got hold of the crucial scalp of Niroshan Dickwella to establish India firmly in the driver’s seat.

Talking in the presser at the end of Day 4’s play, India’s spin bowling coach, Sairaj, opened up on Saransh’s hardwork and how he has been braving the intense nerves despite playing his first game on the international circuit.

Bahutule said, “For me, Saransh has toiled a lot in domestic cricket over the years, and he's got his fair due and that opportunity, you know, make a debut for India, especially. And that's what he did. And there are nerves. There are, you know, you're not going to be as sort of at ease when you're playing your first Test match compared to when you're playing a domestic game.”

Explaining how he has been putting up a fight, Bahutule added, “But he showed a lot of character, you know, in spite of certain decisions not going in his way and him not getting those wickets early in the first innings. But he was very consistent in his line and length.”

Highlighting his strengths and what he has been working on, Bahutule stated, “He's a peculiar bowler, a unique bowler in the sense he doesn't have that over-spin, which is, again, a work in progress behind the scenes. He possesses that side spin, which is good, which gives him that drift. His trajectory is very good, and he is also of a speed range between 80-85. So that makes him unique.”

Bahutule concluded by talking about Jain’s combination with Jadeja and Suthar, adding, “And when we have, you know, two more spinners with Jadeja and Manav Suthar, he brings that variety. I think he put in a fabulous effort. He just, whatever role was given to him, he has played it to the best, and whenever he got that opportunity, he picked up wickets and got us back into the game.”