The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is known for providing young talents with a platform to shine, and one such rising star is Zeeshan Ansari. The talented leg-spinner from Uttar Pradesh (UP) has been handed his IPL debut by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), creating excitement among cricket fans.
With a reputation for his sharp googlies, flighted deliveries, and wicket-taking ability, Zeeshan has already made a name for himself in domestic cricket. But who exactly is he? Here’s everything you need to know about the promising spinner.
Zeeshan Ansari: Early Life and Cricket Journey
Zeeshan Ansari was born in Uttar Pradesh, a state known for producing quality cricketers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Suresh Raina. From a young age, he showed immense interest in spin bowling, particularly leg-spin, which has been a rare and valuable skill in Indian cricket.
Rise Through the Ranks: U-19 and Domestic Cricket
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Zeeshan gained national recognition when he represented India U-19 in the 2016 ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup, where he emerged as one of the leading wicket-takers.
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He later played for Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket, consistently delivering strong performances in the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
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His ability to bowl in power powerplays and death overs made him a sought-after player in T20 cricket.
IPL 2025: Zeeshan Ansari’s Big Opportunity with SRH
Sunrisers Hyderabad, a team known for backing young spinners like Rashid Khan and Abhishek Sharma, identified Zeeshan’s potential and picked him up in the IPL 2025 auction at a base price of ₹20 lakhs.
Why SRH Chose Zeeshan Ansari?
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Leg-spin advantage—With mystery spinners dominating T20 cricket, SRH needed a reliable leg-spinner to strengthen their attack.
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T20 wicket-taking ability—His variations, control, and ability to deceive batsmen make him a valuable asset in IPL conditions.
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Spin-friendly home pitch—SRH’s home ground, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, often assists spinners, making him an ideal pick.
Zeeshan Ansari’s IPL 2025 Debut Match Performance
Zeeshan made his IPL debut for SRH against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on March 29, 2025. Here’s how he performed:
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Bowling Figures: 4 overs | 1/26
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Key Wicket: Dismissed Jos Buttler with a stunning googly.
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Economy Rate: 6.50 (one of the best in the match).
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Impact: Restrained RR’s run flow in the middle overs.
His disciplined bowling earned praise from SRH captain Pat Cummins, who said,
“Zeeshan showed great composure on debut. He has a bright future ahead.”
Playing Style: What Makes Zeeshan Ansari Special?
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Deadly Googly: Zeeshan’s deceptive googly has troubled many top-order batsmen.
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Flight & Control: Unlike many modern T20 spinners, he isn’t afraid to toss the ball up, inviting batters to play risky shots.
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T20 Adaptability: His ability to bowl in different match situations makes him a valuable T20 bowler.
Can Zeeshan Ansari be the Next Big Spinner in Indian Cricket?
With Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav leading India’s spin attack, young spinners like Zeeshan will have to prove their consistency. If he continues performing well in IPL 2025, he could be in contention for a spot in India’s T20I squad.
Conclusion
Zeeshan Ansari’s SRH debut in IPL 2025 marks the beginning of what could be a promising career in Indian cricket. With his skills, temperament, and dedication, he has the potential to become a match-winning spinner in the IPL and beyond.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on this young UP spinner to see if he can live up to the expectations and carve out a name for himself in Indian cricket history.