Visakhapatnam, March 30: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper Pat Cummins opted to bat first against Delhi Capitals (DC) after winning the toss in an afternoon clash of IPL 2025 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium. While both teams made a change to their playing XI, SRH’s decision to include leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari over pacer Simarjeet Singh caught everyone’s attention.
KL Rahul’s IPL Debut for Delhi Capitals
As expected, Delhi Capitals handed KL Rahul his IPL debut, bringing him in place of Samir Rizvi. This move was widely anticipated, considering Rahul’s vast experience and proven credentials as a top-order batter.
SRH’s Surprise Call: Zeeshan Ansari In, Simarjeet Singh Out
Sunrisers Hyderabad made a tactical switch by leaving out pacer Simarjeet Singh and handing Zeeshan Ansari his IPL debut. Notably, Simarjeet remained in the substitutes list, indicating that the decision was not due to injury but a strategic one.
With the inclusion of leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari, SRH gained the option to introduce an Indian substitute for Australian spinner Adam Zampa if required. The 25-year-old Uttar Pradesh cricketer was bought for ₹30 lakh in the IPL 2025 mega auction and had been waiting for his opportunity to shine on the big stage.
Who is Zeeshan Ansari?
Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Zeeshan Ansari made his T20 debut for Uttar Pradesh in 2019 against Uttarakhand. However, he played only one domestic T20 game before making his IPL debut for SRH.
His first-class career includes just five matches, in which he scored 523 runs. However, Zeeshan came into the limelight during the Uttar Pradesh T20 League in 2024, where he took 24 wickets for eventual champions Meerut Mavericks, attracting the attention of SRH scouts.
U-19 World Cup Experience with Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan
Zeeshan Ansari was also part of India’s U-19 squad for the 2016 World Cup, where he played alongside current IPL stars Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan. He featured in two matches, taking two wickets in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals’ leg-spinner Vipraj Nigam, who took 20 wickets in the UP T20 League, was also one of the standout bowlers of that tournament.
SRH’s Tactical Call – Will It Pay Off?
With the pitch in Visakhapatnam known for assisting spinners, Pat Cummins’ decision to introduce Zeeshan Ansari could prove to be a masterstroke. However, it remains to be seen whether the leg-spinner can make an impact in his debut IPL game.
