A fresh face is making waves in the IPL 2025 as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) hands a debut to a promising young spinner—Zeeshan Ansari. The 25-year-old leg-spinner steps onto the big stage for the first time in SRH's clash against Delhi Capitals in Vizag on Sunday, March 30. With the team looking to recover from their recent defeat against Lucknow Super Giants, Ansari's inclusion comes as a strategic move, replacing pacer Simarjeet Singh in the playing XI.
The young cricketer, originally from Lucknow, has already garnered attention with his performances in domestic tournaments. His breakthrough moment came in the UP T20 League, where he represented the Meerut Mavericks and emerged as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament with an impressive tally of 24 scalps. This exceptional performance didn’t go unnoticed, earning him a ₹40 lakh contract at the IPL mega-auction ahead of the 2025 season.
Who is Zeeshan Ansari? Zeeshan Ansari isn't entirely new to the Indian cricket circuit. He was a part of India's U-19 squad alongside Rishabh Pant, proving his potential from a young age. However, his journey to professional cricket hasn't been easy. Coming from a humble background, his father, Naeem, runs a small tailoring shop in Lucknow. Despite his talent, he was overlooked for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last season, but that did not deter his passion for the game.
Ansari’s journey to the IPL is nothing short of inspiring. He has played five first-class matches for Uttar Pradesh, where he picked up 17 wickets. With a strong domestic record and a reputation as a wicket-taking bowler, he now finds himself on the grandest T20 stage, ready to prove his mettle against some of the best in the business.
Zeeshan Ansari’s Bowling Style – A Spinner Who Loves a Challenge What makes Ansari special is his aggressive approach to leg-spin. He idolizes legendary spinners like Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, and Piyush Chawla, the latter of whom he got an opportunity to play alongside in the UP T20 League. Known for his ability to attack batsmen in the middle overs, Ansari often turns the game around by breaking crucial partnerships.
One of his standout performances in the UP T20 League was his ability to control the game in the middle and death overs. Out of his 24 wickets in the tournament, 14 came during the middle phase, proving his skill in putting the brakes on the opposition’s momentum. This quality makes him a valuable asset to SRH, especially as they look to strengthen their bowling attack this season.
A Crucial Moment for SRH and Ansari With SRH opting to bat first after winning the toss, Ansari gets a golden opportunity to make his mark. Given his ability to create breakthroughs in crunch situations, he could be a game-changer for his franchise. Fans and cricket experts will be closely watching to see if this young spinner can live up to the expectations and help SRH turn their season around.
For Ansari, this debut is not just about playing in the IPL; it’s about proving his worth on a platform where legends are made. If his past performances are any indication, Sunrisers Hyderabad may have just unearthed a future star in Zeeshan Ansari!
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