Zeeshan Ansari Named in India A Red-Ball Squad

Uncapped Uttar Pradesh leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari has earned a surprise selection to the India A squad for the upcoming multi-day red-ball tour of Sri Lanka. The promotion marks an unexpected return to the longest format for the 26-year-old bowler, who last played first-class cricket in 2020.

Ansari last appeared in a first-class fixture during a January 2020 match against Tamil Nadu. Since that appearance, his career trajectory has been defined by notable breakthroughs in limited-overs formats. His exceptional performance during the 2024 UP T20 League season, where he claimed 24 wickets across 12 matches, secured him an Indian Premier League contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad. He subsequently claimed 6 wickets in 10 games during his debut IPL campaign. He extended this white-ball dominance into the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, finishing as the joint-second-highest wicket-taker after taking 21 scalps in 8 matches at a remarkable average of 16.52.

Reflecting on his selection, Ansari admitted to ESPNCricinfo that the sudden call-up felt magical given his long absence from the radar. The announcement caught him off guard. Because his recent success occurred entirely in short-format tournaments, he anticipated that any potential national recognition would only come through a white-ball squad selection.

However, he emphasized that returning to the multi-day format represents a massive career milestone. He noted that his foundational years were spent mastering the red ball. He remains highly active in the 40-over Lucknow club leagues, which utilize the red ball, participating in those competitions consistently for the past 10 years.

His preparation received a significant boost earlier this month when he operated as a net bowler for India’s one-off Test match against Afghanistan. The impending multi-day assignment features two unofficial Test matches scheduled to begin on June 25 and July 2 respectively.

Despite generating significant public attention through white-ball cricket over the past few seasons, Ansari only established himself as a regular state player over the last three years. The previous edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy marked his official debut in senior state 50-over cricket. This milestone arrived despite initially debuting for Uttar Pradesh during the 2017-18 calendar, following his stint representing India at the 2016 Under-19 World Cup alongside contemporary stars Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan.

His current first-class record features five matches for Uttar Pradesh, yielding 17 wickets at an average of 30.76, highlighted by personal best innings figures of 3/33.

Faced with limited playing opportunities within his home state, Ansari searched for openings elsewhere, which included playing league cricket in Kolkata and serving as a net bowler for West Bengal in 2025. His patience was tested further during the 2026 IPL season when fellow spin all-rounder Shivang Kumar was preferred ahead of him, leaving Ansari without any game time. Despite these setbacks, the spinner maintained structural optimism and explicitly rejects characterizing his career journey as a bitter struggle.

He explained that ups and downs constitute an inherent part of every professional athlete’s life, making the term struggle inaccurate.

He pointed out that selection and performance variables often remain outside an individual’s direct control. In his view, a player’s sole responsibility is to refine their skillset, maintain intense work ethics, and await their opportunity. He carried this internal drive even while relegated to a net bowler role for Uttar Pradesh, constantly plotting his return to the main squad.

Consequently, he managed to avoid deep disappointment during his time away from the first team. He balanced this by acknowledging that his past performances were not always perfect or undeniably consistent enough to automatically dictate selection. By focusing on self-improvement, he ensured his readiness for an unexpected call-up. He recognized that cricket remains highly unpredictable, and now intends to maximize this hard-earned international opportunity.

During his recent stint in the national training nets, Ansari received technical and psychological mentorship from newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir and spin specialist coach Sairaj Bahutule. Bahutule specifically worked with him on adapting his tactical mindset from short-form restrictions to red-ball patience, while Gambhir instructed him to express his skills without fear.

Ansari concluded by stating his preference for psychological equilibrium. He avoids dwelling on historical setbacks to preserve his focus on future targets, recognizing that professional sports offer no guarantees of permanent success. He has trained himself to look past daily performance fluctuations, choosing instead to rely on consistent work habits and divine timing.

The wider India A squad features several fringe players trying to cement senior Test claims, led by captain Dhruv Jurel. Top-order batsmen Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal look to solidify their rankings, while fast bowler Anshul Kamboj seeks redemption after a challenging debut series in England last year. Pace spearhead Auqib Nabi enters the tour in scorching form after taking 60 wickets during Jammu and Kashmir’s historic Ranji Trophy triumph. The squad also includes established names like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yash Thakur, and Gurnoor Brar to balance the bowling attack.

The red-ball fixtures follow an energetic white-ball tri-series in Dambulla, which saw India A defeat Sri Lanka A in the final courtesy of a blazing 29-ball 94 from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Given that Galle traditionally offers massive assistance to spin bowlers, Ansari and fellow spinner Harsh Dubey are expected to play central roles in the bowling strategy.

Sri Lanka A vs India A Unofficial Test 2026 schedule

First Unofficial Test

Date: June 25-28, 2026 Venue: Galle International Stadium

Second Unofficial TestDate: July 2-5, 2026

Live match start times

Both fixtures will commence at 10:00 AM local time and 10:00 AM IST.

IND A vs SL A Squads

India A: Dhruv Jurel (captain), Sai Sudharsan, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Saransh Jain, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi, Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, N. Jagadeesan, Aman Mokhade, Shaik Rasheed, Zeeshan Ansari.

Sri Lanka A: Niroshan Dickwella, Nuwanidu Fernando, Ashen Bandara, Sahan Arachchige (captain), Pawantha Weerasinghe, Dilum Sudeera, Ravindu Fernando, Keshara Nuwantha, Kavindu Pathiratne, Mohamed Shiraz, Dulaj Samuditha, Praveen Maneesha, Asanka Manoj, Sohan de Livera, Chamika Gunasekara, Ahan Wickramasinghe.

Why the series matters

These unofficial Test matches serve as an essential pipeline for senior national team evaluation, allowing selectors to stress-test bench strength under challenging subcontinent conditions.

Future Outlook

The two-match multi-day series in Galle provides a vital trial ground for players looking to break into the senior Indian Test setup. With India scheduled to travel to New Zealand later in 2026, strong outings from pacers like Auqib Nabi could alter selection orders for upcoming overseas tours. Concurrently, spinners like Ansari have a prime chance to prove their long-form durability on turning tracks, potentially forcing their way into the red-ball conversation before the next home international season.

FAQs

When does the India A vs Sri Lanka A unofficial Test series start?

The first unofficial Test match begins on June 25, 2026, at the Galle International Stadium, followed by the second match on July 2, 2026.

Who is captaining the India A squad during the red-ball tour?

Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel is leading the India A team during the multi-day leg of the Sri Lanka tour.

What are Zeeshan Ansari’s career statistics in first-class cricket?

Zeeshan Ansari has played five first-class matches, capturing 17 wickets at an average of 30.76, with best innings figures of 3/33.

Which IPL team signed Zeeshan Ansari?

Zeeshan Ansari secured an Indian Premier League contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad following his successful performance in the UP T20 League.