Zeeshan Ansari turned heads with a stellar showing for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), snagging three crucial wickets to keep his team in the fight against Delhi Capitals (DC) in an IPL clash in Visakhapatnam. The 25-year-old leg-spinner, stepping into the spotlight on his IPL debut, replaced Simarjeet Singh in the lineup and immediately made his mark with a game-changing spell.
Snapped up for INR 40 lakh at last November’s mega auction, Zeeshan had been a relatively untested name in T20 cricket, sparking intrigue among fans. But the Lucknow native silenced doubts with a dazzling performance, proving he belonged on the IPL stage.
Tasked with bowling in the middle overs, Zeeshan struck early, breaking DC’s opening partnership by outfoxing the in-form Faf du Plessis. The South African, fresh off a fifty, had propelled DC to 81 in nine overs alongside his partner, but Zeeshan lured him into a false shot in his second over, halting the momentum. Moments later, in the same spell, he showcased his agility with a stunning reflex catch to dismiss Jake Fraser-McGurk. The young Aussie, struggling for rhythm but starting to find his range, couldn’t survive Zeeshan’s quick thinking, leaving DC reeling as both openers departed in a flash.
The debutant saved his best for his third over, castling KL Rahul with a gem of a delivery. Rahul, who had stormed to 15 off just five balls and threatened to seize control, misjudged a sweep against Zeeshan’s sharp spin, watching helplessly as the ball darted past his legs to clip the stumps. Though Zeeshan’s four overs cost 42 runs, his three scalps offered SRIndexing a match-turning impact was undeniable.
So, who is this rising star? Zeeshan Ansari’s breakout moment didn’t come out of nowhere. The spinner had already hinted at his potential in domestic cricket, notably in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League, where he topped the wicket charts with 24 dismissals in 12 innings for the Meerut Mavericks, steering them to the title. Even with just one prior T20 appearance for Uttar Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, his knack for taking wickets under pressure stood out.
Zeeshan’s journey also includes a stint with India’s U19 World Cup team in 2016, where they finished as runners-up. He shared the dressing room with future stars like Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, and Washington Sundar—players who’ve since carved out impressive international careers—highlighting the pedigree he brings to the IPL.