After unimpressive outings, Sunrisers Hyderabad have dropped Simarjeet Singh from the SRH Playing XI vs DC. Instead, a 25-year-old Zeeshan Ansari makes his IPL debut. SRH are aiming to bounce back after their batting unit failed spectacularly against Lucknow Super Giants. However, the batting line-up remains intact against Delhi Capitals in their third match of IPL 2025. Zeeshan can bowl leg spin, which will be handy in Vishakhapatnam in the DC vs SRH clash.
In the DC vs SRH clash, Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat. They will bat first three matches in a row. While everyone expected them to score 300+ after being sent to bat, SRH could only manage 197, with DC chasing down the target in just 16.1 overs.
However, with the Vishkahaptanam pitch expected to aid spinners, Zeeshan Ansari replaces Simarjeet to add that extra spin cover. Adam Zampa will lead the spin charge. Rahul Chahar, the other leggie in the squad, continues to warm the bench.
SRH Playing XI vs DC
Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen(w), Aniket Verma, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins(c), Zeeshan Ali, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami
Impact Subs: Sachin Baby, Eshan Malinga, Simarjeet Singh, Adam Zampa, Wiaan Mulder
Zeeshan Ansari getting appreciation from the coach, I have a strong feeling he’s going to be the X-factor for us this season
— Chakri Goudpic.twitter.com/cmQXrrr69V
(@Chakrigoud2211) March 12, 2025
Who is Zeeshan Ansari?
Zeeshan Ansari is a young leg-spin bowler from Uttar Pradesh who joined the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) squad for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. SRH acquired him during the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah for INR 40 lakh. Part of India’s U19 World Cup squad in 2016, Ansari gained recognition as the highest wicket-taker in the UP T20 League 2024. His deceptive leg-breaks and googlies bamboozled batters as he ended up with 24 wickets in 12 matches. Ansari also had a great economy rate of just 7.63 and a strike rate of 10.00.
His inclusion in the SRH squad adds depth to their spin bowling department, complementing established spinners like Rahul Chahar and Adam Zampa. As a promising domestic talent, he is expected to bring versatility and a fresh dimension to the team’s bowling attack, led by captain Pat Cummins, as SRH aims to compete for the IPL title in 2025.
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