Zeeshan Ansari's Magical Call-Up to India A for Sri Lanka Tour

Uttar Pradesh spinner Zeeshan Ansari has been selected for the India A team for the red-ball tour to Sri Lanka, a moment he describes as magical. After a hiatus from first-class cricket since 2020, Ansari has made a name for himself in white-ball formats, achieving significant success in the UP T20 League and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. In an interview, he reflects on his journey, the challenges faced, and the guidance received from coaches. With optimism for the future, Ansari is eager to make the most of this opportunity. Read on to discover more about his cricketing journey and the India A squad for the tour.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 24, 2026, 21:39 IST

Zeeshan Ansari's Exciting Selection

Zeeshan Ansari, an uncapped spinner from Uttar Pradesh, has received a call-up to join the India A team for their upcoming red-ball tour in Sri Lanka. He expressed that this opportunity feels almost magical, especially since he last played in this format back in 2020.

Recent Performances Boost His Career

Ansari's last first-class match was in January 2020 against Tamil Nadu. Since then, he has made significant strides in white-ball cricket, particularly in the UP T20 League, where he took 24 wickets in 12 matches during the 2024 season. His impressive performance earned him a spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where he claimed six wickets in ten matches during his debut season. Furthermore, in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he emerged as a standout player, finishing as the joint-second-highest wicket-taker with 21 wickets in eight matches at an average of 16.52.

'Feels a bit like magic'

In an interview with ESPNCricinfo, Ansari shared, "Honestly, it feels a bit like magic because at one point I was nowhere. It was unexpected. I had performed well in white-ball cricket this season, so I thought if my name came up, it would be for a white-ball team." He emphasized the significance of being selected for the red-ball team, stating, "I love bowling with the red ball, and I have dedicated my life to practicing with it. Even the 40-over league matches in Lucknow are played with the red ball, and I have been participating in those for the last decade."

A Journey of Challenges

Despite gaining recognition in white-ball cricket, Ansari has only recently become a regular in the format over the past three years. His participation in last year's Vijay Hazare Trophy marked his first state competition in the 50-over format, although he debuted for Uttar Pradesh in the 2017-18 season, having previously represented India in the U19 World Cup in 2016 alongside notable players like Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan.

In five first-class matches for Uttar Pradesh, he has taken 17 wickets at an average of 30.76, with his best figures being 3/33. Limited opportunities in state cricket led him to seek chances in other states, including league cricket in Kolkata, where he also served as a net bowler for the state in 2025.

During IPL 2026, another young spin all-rounder, Shivang Kumar, was prioritized over him, resulting in Ansari not getting any playing time.

'Ups and downs are always a part of your life'

The 26-year-old remains optimistic, believing that good times are on the horizon and refrains from labeling his cricketing journey as a struggle. He remarked, "I wouldn't call it a struggle because, as a cricketer, ups and downs are always part of life. Many factors are beyond your control, and sometimes performance dips. The key is to keep improving, work hard, and wait for your opportunity. Even when I was a net bowler with the UP team, I held onto the desire to make a comeback."

"I wouldn't say I was extremely disappointed. I also wouldn't claim that I was flawless or consistently performed well enough to deserve opportunities. I was continuously working hard and preparing myself for any chance. Cricket is unpredictable; you never know when an opportunity will arise. Now that I finally have one after many years, I aim to excel."

Mentorship from Gambhir and Bahutule

While training with the Indian team, Ansari had the chance to work with head coach Gautam Gambhir and spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule. Bahutule emphasized the need for a mindset shift from white-ball to red-ball cricket, while Gambhir encouraged him to play freely and seize his opportunities.

"I strive to maintain balance," Ansari stated. "I don't dwell on the past and focus on the future. As a cricketer, life isn't always filled with good moments. One day you perform well and feel elated, and the next day you may not do as well, which can be disheartening. However, these minor setbacks don't affect me as much anymore. I believe in perseverance, hard work, and faith that my time will come."

India A Squad for Sri Lanka Tour

The India A squad for the multi-day matches in Sri Lanka includes: Dhruv Jurel (captain), Sai Sudharsan, Ayush Badoni, Devdutt Padikkal (vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Saransh Jain, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi, Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, N Jagadeesan, Aman Mokhade, Shaik Rasheed, and Zeeshan Ansari.