Latest news with #ZeeshanAnsari
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Zeeshan eyeing another dominant season
Lucknow: After the mini-auction, players are gearing up for the third edition of the UPT20 League 2025, which is likely to begin in August. Zeeshan Ansari , the highest wicket-taker of the previous edition — a performance that opened doors to the Indian Premier League for him — is all set to shine once again. Zeeshan, who was picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for Rs 40 lakh, took 6 wickets in 10 matches in this year's IPL season. Responding to a question about whether he feels any pressure to perform in this season of the UPT20 League, Zeeshan said, "I don't play under pressure or for records. If I keep doing what I've been doing, I believe things will turn out well. My approach is going to be the same, whether it's the IPL or the UPT20 League." Speaking about the UPT20 League, the Lucknow-based leg-spinner said, "In my opinion, it's a huge platform for every player. If you perform well, you will be noticed. Around 10–12 players from Uttar Pradesh have managed to make it to the IPL." Zeeshan further emphasised the importance of fitness in today's competitive cricket. "The main thing is to stay fit throughout the year. I've worked with IPL trainers and have now hired a personal trainer for myself." When asked to compare the IPL with the UPT20 League, Ansari said, "The difference is mainly about pressure. In the UP T20 League, there's less pressure and a smaller audience. But in the IPL, there's a huge crowd, and people expect you to perform. It's all about how well you handle the pressure." "To be honest, I couldn't play to my full potential because it was my debut season. Initially, I wasn't sure if I'd even make it to the playing XI," he added. On playing domestic cricket, Zeeshan said, "Domestic cricket is crucial. Performing in domestic cricket isn't easy. Even if you do well in the IPL and get noticed, taking wickets in the Ranji Trophy shows your true calibre." When asked about his preparations for this season after being the highest wicket-taker in last year's UPT20 League, he said, "My goal is to bowl well and be at the top again," he signed off.
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
KL Rahul smashes century on return to opening role in DC vs GT, 2nd Indian behind Virat Kohli in elite IPL list
Young leg spinner Zeeshan Ansari, picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad, will play his first IPL game on home turf in Lucknow. With 6 wickets in 9 games, he aims to impress his 18-member family and local cricket community, guided by spin legends Muralitharan and Vettori.
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
SRH spinner Zeeshan keen to make a splash on home turf
LUCKNOW: Finding an Indian Premier League team seemed almost impossible for young leg spinner Zeeshan Ansari after the Uttar Pradesh selection committee, headed by former India seamer Praveen Kumar, ignored the bowler last season despite emerging the highest wicket-taker in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League last year with 24 scalps. Sunrisers Hyderabad though kept track and picked him for Rs.40 lakh. He had a fine IPL debut, taking all three wickets against Delhi Capitals, though in a losing cause. Two of those victims were Faf du Plessis and KL Rahul. He has six wickets in nine games (avg 9.76), though SRH have been eliminated from the playoffs race. The 25-year-old will play his first IPL game on home turf, against a Lucknow Super Giants side led by his 2016 U-19 World Cup teammate Rishabh Pant on Monday. It will be a big occasion for Zeeshan as his 18-member joint family will be at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium to cheer him on. 'Expectations are high for everyone, including the 200-odd cricketers at the LDA Coaching Centre where I have been training. I will try to live up to the expectations of everyone. I had 24 wickets at this venue in UPT20L last year and know the variations of the pitches here quite well,' Zeeshan told HT on Sunday. 'Even after getting selected in the UPT20 League by Meerut Mavericks, I wasn't sure of playing all the matches but coach Utkarsh Chandra and team owner Saurabh Dubey supported me well… Skipper Rinku Singh too gave me a free hand which kept me doing well and I emerged as the highest wicket taker,' SRH picked him in the players auction soon after. 'We know how important that was for me and my family,' said Zeeshan, whose father Naeem has a tailoring shop in Lucknow. Zeeshan had 40 wickets in his first season for Uttar Pradesh in junior cricket and was picked for the U-19 World Cup. His teammate in that campaign, Ishan Kishan – he too plays for SRH – is now a good friend. 'I started playing cricket at the age of 5 in the lanes near my house. After some time, I was sent to Chowk stadium for training,' says Zeeshan, who has taken 17 wickets in five first-class games. On his stint with SRH, Zeeshan is grateful to have two of the game's top two former spinners, Muttiah Muralitharan and Daniel Vettori, to guide him. 'Both are a big help; I always try to learn from them with long discussions and at the nets. I've watched them since I started playing cricket. They are such big bowlers and if I could get small things from them, it would be great for me. 'I am getting a lot of help from Ishan. We played two practice matches together here ahead of the LSG game. He told me certain things during the match, especially about my gesture after being hit for a six. He told me to be confident.' Gopal Singh, Zeeshan's coach at the LDA Coaching Centre, is confident about his good show against LSG. 'He has perfect knowledge of all nine surfaces at this venue and knows the tricks to trouble the batters,' said Gopal, who will be watching Zeeshan's game with a big bunch of 200-odd trainees.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Sunrisers have not put together a complete performance: coach Vettori
Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Daniel Vettori on Thursday said that his team's struggle to deliver 'complete performances' was the reason for its lacklustre IPL season so far. 'I don't think we've put together complete performances. We've let ourselves down in one facet, probably in every match. You look at the good teams that are winning at the moment, they've been consistent across the board,' Vettori said on the eve of SRH's fixture against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium here. About the positives for SRH this season, Vettori said he was impressed with batter Aniket Verma and leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari. 'In terms of individuals, I've been very pleased with Aniket – coming into the side and the IPL for the first time and being able to play a style that's really suited the team. He's established himself as one of our key members. 'I think Zeeshan Ansari has been fantastic for us. It's not an easy game (T20 format) for a spinner, and to be able to compete and contain some of the best batters in the world on small grounds and flat wickets, I think he's been at times exceptional.' Gujarat Titans Director of Cricket Vikram Solanki gave an update on captain Shubman Gill's fitness. Gill had batted but didn't field in the game against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. 'There was a bit of a back spasm. Just trying to be careful with it. He'll be at training today (Thursday). We'll just see where he's at, but we're reasonably confident he's going to be okay'.
