zeeshan ansari

Zeeshan Ansari Gets IPL Stage

At the age of 16, Zeeshan Ansari was the youngest member of the Indian U-19 World Cup team in 2016, which included several players who would later become prominent figures in Indian cricket. While contemporaries such as Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, and Washington Sundar progressed in their careers, Ansari’s trajectory took a different turn, leading to a significant period of inactivity. Since that World Cup, he has participated in only five Ranji Trophy matches and one Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match for Uttar Pradesh.

Ansari’s IPL Debut: A Remarkable Comeback

The leg-spinner from Lucknow’s Hazratganj, although part of a talented cohort, did not garner the same level of attention as his peers. However, on Sunday afternoon, at 25 years old, Ansari made a notable return to the spotlight by taking wickets of renowned players Faf du Plessis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and KL Rahul during his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad, despite the team’s loss.

From Obscurity to IPL Opportunity

Former U-19 India selector Gyanendra Pandey expressed admiration for Ansari’s bold approach to bowling, recalling that he was selected for the junior national squad due to his potential. Pandey remarked, “Usko Eid se pahle hi Eidi mil gayi (He got Eid’s gift before the festivities began). He is a very hardworking bowler.” He also noted that while the reasons for Ansari’s limited opportunities in domestic cricket remain unclear, his performance as the highest wicket-taker in the UP T20 league for Meerut Mavericks caught the attention of Sunrisers Hyderabad scouts.

Overcoming Challenges: Ansari’s Journey

Pandey highlighted Ansari’s courage in facing top competition, recalling that during the UP T20 league, he dismissed prominent players effortlessly. This performance led to broader recognition of his talent.

Uttar Pradesh, alongside Delhi, is known for producing resilient players who often succeed despite systemic challenges. Ansari’s statistics, with 17 wickets in five Ranji matches, are respectable, yet his absence from the game since 2020 raises questions about the selection process.

From a family background of modest means, Ansari’s father, a tailor, did not have the resources to question his son’s lack of opportunities. A former first-class cricketer commented on the situation, noting that while Kuldeep Yadav was busy with international commitments, coach Sunil Joshi did not see anything exceptional in Ansari.

Support and Encouragement

His childhood coach, Gopal Singh, expressed hope for Ansari’s future, suggesting that both he and another player, Vipraj Nigam, could represent Uttar Pradesh together. Singh recounted how, after returning from the U-19 World Cup, Ansari performed adequately in the Ranji Trophy but faced an inexplicable absence from the game in subsequent seasons.

Despite being from a middle-class family, Singh clarified that Ansari did not experience significant financial hardships. He acknowledged that Rinku Singh, the Meerut Mavericks captain, played a crucial role in supporting Ansari during the UP T20 league, providing him with opportunities to bowl in critical moments, which ultimately attracted the attention of scouts.

Zeeshan Ansari’s Career Snapshot

Zeeshan Ansari, born on 16 December 1999, is an Indian cricketer. He is currently 25 years old and hails from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Ansari bats right-handed and bowls legbreak googly.

**Personal Information**
– **Date of Birth**: 16 December 1999
– **Age**: 25
– **Place of Birth**: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
– **Batting Style**: Right-hand bat
– **Bowling Style**: Legbreak googly
– **Domestic Teams**:
– Uttar Pradesh (2017–present)
– Sunrisers Hyderabad (2025–present)

**Career Statistics**
– **First-Class Matches**: 5
– **Runs Scored**: 117
– **Batting Average**: 23.40
– **100s/50s**: 0/1
– **Top Score**: 76
– **T20 Matches**: 1
– **Balls Bowled**: 858
– **Wickets**: 17
– **Bowling Average**: 30.76
– **Best Bowling**: 3/33
– **Catches/Stumpings**: 3/0

**Debut Information**
– Ansari made his first-class debut for Uttar Pradesh in the 2017–18 Ranji Trophy on 6 October 2017.
– He was part of India’s squad for the 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup prior to his first-class debut.
– His IPL debut occurred in 2025 with the Sunrisers Hyderabad against the Delhi Capitals, where he took 3 wickets for 42 runs.
– He made his Twenty20 debut for Uttar Pradesh in the 2018–19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on 28 February 2019.

As Zeeshan Ansari embarks on his IPL journey, his story serves as an inspiration, showcasing the resilience and determination required to overcome challenges and seize opportunities in the competitive world of cricket.