From Cancer Battle to Test Cap: The Emotional Journey of Saransh Jain
NEW DELHI: As Ravindra Jadeja handed over the elusive Test cap to Saransh Jain at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo, the moment represented more than just a debut—it was the culmination of a decade-long battle, personal sacrifice, and an unwavering promise between a father and his son.
For Subodh Jain, a former Madhya Pradesh cricketer who has battled oral cancer since 2014, the sight of his son entering the international stage was overwhelming. "I fought cancer to see my son play for India," an emotional Subodh told TimesofIndia.com from Indore. "Now, he has given me a new lease on life. I want to keep fighting to see him reach even greater heights."
A Promise Written in Ink
The bond between the two was forged in the most difficult of circumstances. In 2014, while a young Saransh was touring Australia with an Indore club, his father underwent a grueling surgery for oral cancer. Unable to speak, Subodh communicated his support through a notepad.
"I asked for a paper and pen and wrote: ‘Beta, tu jitna accha karega, main utni jaldi theek ho jaaunga’ (If you perform better, I will recover sooner)," Subodh recalled. This simple message became the heartbeat of Saransh’s career, anchoring him even when he considered quitting the sport upon learning of his father’s diagnosis.
The Architect of a Career
Subodh, who coached his son from his early days, admits that while he taught Saransh the craft of off-spin, it was the arrival of legendary coach Chandrakant Pandit that proved to be the turning point. Under Pandit’s guidance, Saransh evolved from a fringe player into a domestic powerhouse, becoming an integral part of Madhya Pradesh’s historic Ranji Trophy-winning squad.
The numbers reflect a cricketer who earned his spot through sheer persistence. Following his Lala Amarnath Award-winning performance in the 2022-23 season, Saransh went from strength to strength, amassing 518 runs and 30 wickets in the 2025-26 season. His dominance was further cemented by a Player of the Series performance in the Duleep Trophy, where he steered the Central Zone to their first title in over a decade.
The Harbhajan Singh Influence
Saransh’s path to the national side was further sharpened by a transformative stint at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Working with Indian spin icon Harbhajan Singh provided him with the final piece of the puzzle.
"He has worked incredibly hard and spent many years in domestic cricket," Harbhajan noted. "At 33, he is still young for a spinner, and he has the invaluable experience of bowling long spells in domestic conditions. I am grateful I got the opportunity to help him unlock his potential."
A Dream Realized
Reflecting on the surreal experience of seeing his son play for India, Subodh noted that he consciously avoided discussing cricket with Saransh in the lead-up to the series, preferring to focus on conversations about food and travel to keep his son grounded.
Now, the man who once felt he should quit to care for his ailing father stands as a symbol of resilience. As Saransh Jain steps onto the international stage, his journey serves as a powerful testament to the idea that I fought cancer to see my son play for India—a promise kept against all odds.
