Sunrisers Hyderabad’s New Star: Zeeshan Ansari’s Impactful IPL Debut

Sunrisers Hyderabad‘s (SRH) latest recruit, Zeeshan Ansari, had a dream debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, producing a stellar spell against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Visakhapatnam. The 25-year-old leg-spinner made an instant impact, dismissing three key batters, including KL Rahul, Faf du Plessis, and Jake Fraser-McGurk, to give his side a fighting chance in the contest.

A Debut to Remember

Brought into the playing XI in place of Simarjeet Singh, Zeeshan Ansari made the most of his opportunity, repaying the faith shown in him by the SRH management. Bought for INR 40 lakh at the IPL 2025 mega auction, the young spinner was a relatively unknown name in the T20 circuit. However, his performance on debut left a mark, even though SRH ended up conceding a daunting target.

Bowling in the middle overs, Zeeshan turned the game in SRH’s favor momentarily. He first removed Faf du Plessis, who was looking dangerous after completing his half-century. The South African attempted an aggressive shot but mistimed it, handing Zeeshan his first IPL wicket.

The leg-spinner struck again in the same over, dismissing the explosive Jake Fraser-McGurk. The young Australian batter, known for his aggressive stroke play, attempted to take on Zeeshan but ended up giving a return catch. The debutant showed great reflexes to complete a sharp caught-and-bowled dismissal, leaving DC in a tricky situation at 81/2 in nine overs.

However, his biggest moment came when he cleaned up KL Rahul in his third over. The DC captain had stormed to 15 off just five balls and looked set to dictate terms. But Zeeshan’s sharp turn completely deceived Rahul, as the ball sneaked past his legs and crashed into the stumps.

Despite his three crucial scalps, Zeeshan did go for runs, conceding 42 in his four-over spell. But his ability to take big wickets at crucial junctures showed promise for SRH.

Who is Zeeshan Ansari?

Zeeshan’s breakthrough in IPL 2025 was not an overnight success. The Lucknow-born spinner had been making waves in domestic cricket before earning his IPL call-up.

Although his T20 experience was limited, he shone in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League, where he was the highest wicket-taker with 24 scalps in 12 matches for Meerut Mavericks. His performances in that tournament played a crucial role in his team’s title triumph, highlighting his ability to perform under pressure.

Zeeshan was also part of the India U19 squad that reached the final of the 2016 U19 World Cup. He shared the dressing room with players like Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Washington Sundar, Avesh Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, and Khaleel Ahmed, many of whom have gone on to represent India at the senior level.

With his impressive IPL debut, Zeeshan Ansari has now taken his first step towards making a name for himself in franchise cricket. It remains to be seen how SRH utilizes him in the coming matches, but his performance against DC will certainly keep him in the reckoning for a permanent spot in the playing XI.

What’s Next for SRH and Zeeshan Ansari?

Sunrisers Hyderabad will hope to bounce back in their upcoming matches as they continue their IPL 2025 campaign. With spin playing a crucial role in the tournament, Zeeshan could become an integral part of their bowling attack.

For the young leg-spinner, this debut is just the beginning. With more opportunities, he has the potential to develop into a match-winning bowler for SRH and possibly earn a call-up to higher levels of Indian cricket.

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