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Sunrisers Hyderabad [Source: AP Photos]
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) star Zeeshan Ansari has been called up to India squad ahead of the upcoming one-off Test match against Afghanistan. The 26-year-old is set to join the national side in Chandigarh as a net bowler, as per his coach Gopal Singh.
Zeeshan made his IPL debut last year for the SRH franchise, but failed to receive a single crack in the playing XI in the recently-concluded IPL 2026 season. Prior to the tournament, the Uttar Pradesh bowler enjoyed a prolific Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 season with the ball.
Zeeshan Ansari receives big break after IPL 2026 snub
Much was expected from Zeeshan Ansari this IPL 2026 season following his impressive SRH debut last year, as well as owing to his prolific Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 season for Uttar Pradesh.
However, the cricketer did not receive a single opportunity in the SRH playing XI this year, with Shivang Kumar and Harsh Dubey serving the franchise as their primary uncapped Indian spinners for a major part of the tournament.
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It now appears that all is not lost for Ansari yet, as the cricketer has been called to join the Indian team in Chandigarh, albeit as a ‘net bowler’. His impending stint serves as an opportunity for him to impress several Indian batters, including national Test captain Shubman Gill, in the nets ahead of the Afghanistan Test.
Zeeshan Ansari’s coach Gopal Singh said “Yes, Zeeshan left for Chandigarh this evening and will join the teams’ net session tomorrow morning.”
Gopal added that Ansari’s presence in the nets will help India batters prepare for the spin-heavy Afghanistan side. He added “they have four spinners in the side for the red-ball match and Ansari’s bowling will surely help Indian batters prepare well on a slow surface. This move underlines how a player’s value can extend far beyond match-day appearances.”
Who is Zeeshan Ansari?
Zeeshan Ansari, born in December 1999, is an Uttar Pradesh leg-spinner who possesses variations that makes him a potential bowling weapon, especially in red-ball cricket.
He made his IPL debut for the SRH franchise back in IPL 2025 last year. Having played 10 matches in his maiden season, the cricketer picked up six wickets at an economy rate of 9.84. While Ansari was retained by the SRH for the following IPL 2026 season, he did not receive a single opportunity in the playing XI throughout the tournament.
In the recently-concluded 50-overs Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 season for the Uttar Pradesh, the 26-year-old finished as the third highest wicket-taker with 21 scalps to his name in just eight innings at an impressive bowling average of 16.52.
As a 16-year-old back in early 2016, he was part of the India U19 team that reached the final of the 2016 U19 Cricket World Cup.
India to face Afghanistan in New Chandigarh
Team India will now take on the visiting Afghanistan side for a one-off Test. The match will be hosted by the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh between June 6 and June 10.
The match marks India’s return to the Test lore after a gap of over seven months.
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