IND vs SL Tests: Father Subodh recalls when Saransh Jain broke down upon seeing him

Saransh Jain (Pic: Instagram/saranshjain13)

Team India is set to clash against Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series, beginning from August 15 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium near Galle Fort.

Ahead of the series, Madhya Pradesh's veteran off-spinner Saransh Jain has received a maiden call-up. After the selection, father Subodh recalled the time when his son broke down after seeing him.

In 2014, Saransh was touring Australia with an Indore club. Every time he called home and asked for his father, his mother or elder brother would tell him that Subodh was busy.

When Saransh returned home, he saw that his father had been diagnosed with oral cancer.

"My mouth was badly swollen after surgery and I couldn't speak. The moment Saransh saw me, he broke down. I picked up a pen and wrote on a piece of paper: 'Beta, tu jitna accha karega, main utni jaldi theek ho jaaunga' (Son, the better you perform, the quicker I will recover)," Subodh recalled.

Speaking about his son's selection, Subodh said that he is overwhelmed.

"He was inside the temple and missed the first call. When he came out, he learnt about his selection. I am overwhelmed. I played Ranji Trophy for Madhya Pradesh but, like many others, I couldn't fulfil my dream. Today, my son has fulfilled it," said his father.

He then revealed that Saransh watches former Team India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin's videos. He also said that Chandrakant Pandit was the man who first saw something special in Saransh.

"He now watches Ravichandran Ashwin's videos and keeps learning, but when he started, I was his idol. have coached many Ranji Trophy players, including my son. They all had one quality -- they spoke less and worked more," said Subodh.

"I realised it when he was playing Under-12 cricket. Saransh and Rajat Patidar have played together since they were 11. People who watched him then told me he had something special. Of course, I am his coach, but I am also his father. It was Chandrakant Pandit who saw something special in him. Everyone knows Chandu Pandit ji has an exceptional eye for talent," he added.

India's squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka

Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal and Saransh Jain.

(With PTI Inputs)