Saransh Jain - (Source: X)
On Tuesday, July 28, the BCCI announced a 15-member India squad for the upcoming Tests against Sri Lanka. The Shubman Gill-led side will tour the Island Nation for a two-match Test series starting from August 15. The squad is almost identical to the one against Afghanistan, except Saransh Jain’s inclusion.
The star all-rounder has been toiling hard in the domestic circuit for years and has finally been rewarded after 11 years for his hard work. Saransh had a brilliant Ranji Trophy season, where he scored 768 runs and picked up 57 wickets, which justifies his selection.
Saransh Jain’s Age in Question
Besides the performance, Saransh Jain has been more in the news because of his maiden India call-up at 33. It is not an unusual sight in Indian cricket that you see a 33-year-old cricketer getting a chance to represent India.
Notably, Sri Lanka favours spinners, and Saransh Jain is most likely to earn his maiden India call-up as well. If he does so, then he will become the oldest India cricketer since the 2000s to make his Test debut. Robin Singh was the last player to achieve this? Robin Singh in 1998, who walked out at 35 years and 23 days old.
Also Read: Deserving Players Who Missed Out On India’s Squad For Sri Lanka Tests 2026
The fans are curious about who is the oldest Indian player to make their Test debut, and this article will shed light on that.
Who Is The Oldest Indian Cricketer To Make Test Debut?
Notably, Rustomji Jamshedji holds the record for being the oldest Indian to make a Test debut at the age of 41 years and 27 days. Indian cricket started in 1932, and Jamshedji made his debut in 1933.
Notably, Jamshedji’s debut was also the last Test he played, which was against England on December 15, 1933.
Overall, Jamshedji is also the 7th oldest player in the world to make their Test debut. England’s J Southerton is the world’s oldest player to make a Test debut at the age of 49 years and 119 days in 1877 against Australia.
Who Was Rustomji Jamshedji?
Rustomji Jamshedji was born on November 18, 1892. Although he played only one Test, he was one of the finest bowlers in the Bombay Quadrangular, a prestigious domestic tournament of that era.
Key Achievements
- Took 11 wickets for 122 runs in the 1922–23 final for the Parsis.
- Took 10 wickets for 104 runs in the 1928–29 final against the Europeans.
Legendary English spinner Wilfred Rhodes is said to have admired Jamshedji's ability to spin the ball and reportedly remarked:
"If I had your powers of spin, no side would get a hundred." Notably, Jamshedji picked up three wickets on his India debut.
Despite playing only a single Test, Rustomji Jamshedji is regarded as one of the pioneers of Indian cricket and a standout performer of the pre-independence domestic era.
Also Read: Full List Of Changes In India Test Squad vs Sri Lanka Compared To Afghanistan
