Zeeshan Ansari returns to UP Ranji Trophy squad after six-year gap
Synopsis
From net bowler to India A prospect in one domestic season — Zeeshan Ansari's return to the Uttar Pradesh Ranji Trophy squad after six years is one of domestic cricket's more unlikely comebacks. The 26-year-old leg-spinner, once an Under-19 World Cup squad member alongside Rishabh Pant, revived his career with 21 wickets in eight Vijay Hazare Trophy matches and now faces the task of proving himself in red-ball cricket all over again.
Key Takeaways
Zeeshan Ansari , 26, is set to return to the Uttar Pradesh Ranji Trophy squad after a six-year gap , with his last appearance coming in 2020 .
Ansari took 21 wickets in eight matches at an average of 16.52 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy , triggering his recall.
The Uttar Pradesh squad is captained by Karan Sharma and also includes Rinku Singh , Yash Dayal , and Priyam Garg .
Ansari has subsequently been named in the India A squad for two unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka A later in October.
He has played only five first-class matches in total, taking 17 wickets with best figures of 3/33 .
Ansari was part of India's Under-19 World Cup squad in 2016 , alongside Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan .
Leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari is set to return to the Uttar Pradesh Ranji Trophy squad after a six-year absence, capping a remarkable resurgence for the 26-year-old who went from net bowler to India A prospect within a single domestic season. The squad is expected to be officially announced shortly, according to reports.
The Squad and Key Names
The Uttar Pradesh Ranji Trophy side will be led by Karan Sharma and includes prominent names such as Rinku Singh, Aradhya Yadav, Aryan Juyal (WK), Madhav Kaushik, Adarsh Singh, Sidharth Yadav, Priyam Garg, Yash Dayal, and Kartik Tyagi, among others. Abhishek Goswami and Chikara have been named as stand-by players. Ansari's inclusion in this company underlines how far he has come in a short span.
A Career That Almost Faded Away
Ansari made his first-class debut for Uttar Pradesh against Railways on 6 October 2017, having already earned recognition as a promising wrist-spinner. He was part of India's Under-19 World Cup squad in 2016, alongside future internationals Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan. Yet consistent state-level opportunities never materialised, and his career lost momentum through the early 2020s.
His last Ranji Trophy appearance for Uttar Pradesh came in 2020. In the intervening years, Ansari played local tournaments in Lucknow, turned out for league cricket in Kolkata, and spent considerable time as a net bowler around the state squad — proximity without opportunity, a frustrating reality for many domestic cricketers on the fringe.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy Breakthrough
The turnaround arrived emphatically in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where Ansari emerged as one of Uttar Pradesh's most potent bowlers. He claimed 21 wickets in eight matches at an impressive average of 16.52, consistently breaking partnerships and excelling in pressure situations. His control of pace, flight, and the googly — particularly on surfaces favouring batters — made him a constant threat.
Notably, despite debuting in the 2017-18 domestic season, this was Ansari's first senior 50-over competition, making the performance all the more striking. He has played only five first-class matches in his career, taking 17 wickets, with his best figures of 3/33 coming against Tripura.
India A Call-Up Follows Ranji Return
The 21-wicket Vijay Hazare campaign caught the attention of national selectors. Ansari has since been fast-tracked into the India A squad for the two unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka A later this month — an unusual trajectory given that his red-ball experience at the domestic level remains relatively limited. This comes amid growing demand for quality wrist-spinners capable of operating in all formats.
From a teenager at the 2016 Under-19 World Cup to years of struggle at the margins of state cricket, and now a Ranji returnee and India A-bound spinner, Ansari's path is a testament to persistence. His next challenge is to translate a white-ball breakthrough into sustained red-ball success — beginning where his senior journey started, with Uttar Pradesh.
Point of View
He spent the better part of a decade as a net bowler for the team he should have been playing in — a systemic failure of state selection pipelines that rarely makes headlines. His Vijay Hazare Trophy numbers were genuinely exceptional, but the real test is whether selectors sustain faith through red-ball cricket where his record is almost a blank slate. Fast-tracking a spinner with five first-class matches to India A suggests the appetite for attacking wrist-spin is urgent — but it also raises questions about whether the system is compensating for a gap it helped create.
NationPress
7 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Zeeshan Ansari's return to the UP Ranji Trophy squad significant?
Ansari is returning to the Uttar Pradesh Ranji Trophy squad after a six-year absence, having last played for the state in 2020. His recall, driven by 21 wickets in eight Vijay Hazare Trophy matches, marks a sharp turnaround for a player who spent years as a net bowler on the fringes of state cricket.
What did Zeeshan Ansari achieve in the Vijay Hazare Trophy?
Ansari took 21 wickets in eight Vijay Hazare Trophy matches at an average of 16.52, making him one of Uttar Pradesh's most effective bowlers in the competition. His ability to bowl the leg-break, googly, and vary his pace and flight made him a consistent wicket-taker.
Who are the other key players in the Uttar Pradesh Ranji Trophy squad?
The squad is captained by Karan Sharma and includes Rinku Singh, Yash Dayal, Priyam Garg, Aradhya Yadav, Aryan Juyal (WK), Madhav Kaushik, Adarsh Singh, and Kartik Tyagi, among others. Abhishek Goswami and Chikara are named as stand-by players.
Has Zeeshan Ansari been selected for the India A team?
Yes, Ansari has been selected for the India A squad for two unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka A, to be played later in October. The call-up followed his standout Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign and represents a rapid elevation given his limited first-class experience.
What is Zeeshan Ansari's first-class record?
Ansari has played five first-class matches in his career, taking 17 wickets with best figures of 3/33 against Tripura. His red-ball experience is limited, making his Ranji return and India A call-up a significant test of his credentials in the longer format.
