Who is Zeeshan Ansari?
Zeeshan Ansari is a 25-year-old leg-spinner from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, who made a stunning IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 30, 2025, against Delhi Capitals (DC). He replaced pacer Simarjeet Singh in the playing XI and immediately made an impact, taking 3 wickets (Faf du Plessis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and KL Rahul) in his first game 136.
Early Career & Background
- Humble Beginnings: Ansari’s father, Naeem, runs a tailoring shop in Lucknow. Financial struggles nearly derailed his cricket career, but support from coaches and friends helped him continue 8.
- U19 World Cup (2016): He was part of India’s U19 squad alongside Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, and Washington Sundar, finishing as runners-up to West Indies 26.
- Domestic Career: Played 5 First-Class matches for Uttar Pradesh (17 wickets) but had limited T20 exposure (only 1 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy game) before IPL 2025 15.
Breakthrough in UP T20 League
Ansari rose to prominence in the 2024 UP T20 League, where he was the highest wicket-taker (24 wickets in 12 games) for Meerut Mavericks, including a 5/26 against Kanpur Superstars. His performances earned him an INR 40 lakh deal with SRH in the IPL 2025 mega auction 258.
IPL 2025 Debut: Match-Winning Spell
- Key Wickets: Dismissed Faf du Plessis (50), Fraser-McGurk (38), and KL Rahul (15) in a game where SRH defended 163 36.
- Bowling Style: An attacking leg-spinner, Ansari excels in middle overs (14 of his 24 UP T20 wickets came in this phase) 58.
- Inspirations: Models his game after Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, and Piyush Chawla (whom he played alongside in the UP T20 League) 28.
Future Prospects
- Purple Cap Contender?: With his impactful debut, Ansari could emerge as SRH’s lead spinner this season.
- LSG Connection: Though not part of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), his UP roots and T20 success make him a potential target in future auctions.
- Batting: A handy lower-order batter, he scored 37 runs in two U19 WC games but is primarily known for his bowling 68.
Latest Updates (March 30, 2025)
- SRH’s Trust: Captain Pat Cummins backed him as a middle-over wicket-taker, replacing Adam Zampa 7.
- Fan Reactions: Social media is abuzz with praise for his control and variations 36.
Ansari’s journey from a tailor’s son to an IPL star is a testament to his perseverance. If he maintains this form, he could soon be a household name in Indian cricket.
