Zeeshan Ansari's Magical Call-Up to India A for Sri Lanka Tour
Zeeshan Ansari's Journey to India A Selection
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 24: Uncapped spinner Zeeshan Ansari from Uttar Pradesh expressed that his selection for the India A squad for the upcoming red-ball series in Sri Lanka feels almost surreal, especially since he last played in this format back in 2020.
His most recent first-class match was in January 2020 against Tamil Nadu. Since then, Ansari has made a name for himself in white-ball cricket, notably in the UP T20 League, where he claimed 24 wickets in 12 matches during the 2024 season, which led to his acquisition by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In his IPL debut season, he took six wickets across ten matches. Furthermore, during the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he showcased his skills in the 50-over format, finishing as one of the top wicket-takers with 21 wickets in eight matches at an impressive average of 16.52.
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.”
“However, being chosen for the red-ball team is a significant achievement. I have a passion for bowling with the red ball and 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 actively participating in those for the past decade,” he added.
Earlier this month, he served as a net bowler for the one-off Test between India and Afghanistan. The two unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka A are scheduled for June 25 and June 2.
Despite gaining recognition in white-ball formats over the past few years, Ansari has only recently become a regular in red-ball cricket. His participation in last year's VHT marked his first state-level competition in the 50-over format, although he debuted for UP in the 2017-18 season and played alongside notable players like Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan in the 2016 U19 World Cup.
In his 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 chances in state cricket prompted him to seek opportunities in other regions, including league cricket in Kolkata, where he also represented the state as a net bowler in 2025. During IPL 2026, he found himself behind another young spin all-rounder, Shivang Kumar, in the selection hierarchy, which limited his playing time. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old remains optimistic about his future and refrains from labeling his cricketing journey as a ‘struggle.’
“I wouldn’t describe it as a struggle because, as a cricketer, ups and downs are part of the journey,” he remarked.
“Many factors are beyond your control, and sometimes performance may not meet expectations. What you can control is your commitment to improvement, hard work, and patience. Even while serving as a net bowler for the UP team, I maintained the desire to make a comeback,” he continued.
“I wouldn’t say I was extremely disappointed. I also wouldn’t claim that I was flawless or consistently deserving of opportunities. I was continuously striving to improve and stay prepared for any chance that arose. Cricket is unpredictable, and you never know when an opportunity will present itself. Now that I finally have this chance after years, I aim to excel,” he added.
While training with the Indian team, he had the opportunity to interact with head coach Gautam Gambhir and spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, who provided valuable insights. 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 solely on the future. As a cricketer, life is not always filled with positives. One day you perform well and feel elated, while the next day may not go as planned, leading to disappointment. These minor setbacks no longer affect me as they once did. I believe in perseverance, hard work, and faith that my time will come.”
Indian A squad for 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.