Zeeshan Ansari, the SRH leg-spinner who didn't get a single game in IPL 2026, has been added to the Indian squad as a net bowler for the one-off Test against Afghanistan.
India will host Afghanistan for a one-off Test match at the New Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in New Chandigarh. Zeeshan Ansari's inclusion will help the cricketer learn from other bowlers. It could prove to be a golden opportunity if he can convert it into larger opportunities to represent India internationally.
Despite having made his debut in 2025, when Zeeshan Ansari picked six wickets in the season, he did not feature in a single match for SRH in the IPL 2026 season. He played a massive role in the successful Vijay Hazare Trophy run, where he picked 21 wickets across eight games in the season.
He has now been called up to be a part of the Indian net bowling squad in New Chandigarh for the one-off Test against Afghanistan.
“Yes, Zeeshan left for Chandigarh this evening and will join the team’s net session tomorrow morning,” his coach, Gopal Singh, said on Monday, terming it a big opportunity to impress Team India batters, including skipper Shubhman Gill, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
“Even though Afghanistan won’t have the services of their star leg spinner Rashid Khan, 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,” said Singh.
Ansari has sharpened his skills under SRH head coach Daniel Vettori
Although he has not played a single match in the season for SRH, he has learned a lot from the behind-the-scenes moments spent with former New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori.
"Though he didn’t get a chance to play in the IPL this season, he sharpened his skills during training sessions under the guidance of chief coach and former New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori,” said Singh, adding, “He seems to be a much improved bowler now.”
Everyone is well aware of Afghanistan's spin battery, and preparing for it requires some traditional leg spin, and Zeeshan Ansari is a vital addition to the Indian side in the nets. His introduction would help the Indian batters adapt to slow pitch conditions, alongside the variations in flight, angles, and wrist work.
Zeeshan will be exposed to elite coaching in the India nets
Zeeshan Ansari's main task will be to recreate that variety in the nets from creating trajectories and maintaining relentless accuracy over spells in the longest format of the game. This kind of targeted practice often helps batters internalize footwork and sharpen their soft hands to tackle spin bowling.
However, this also remains a major opportunity for Zeeshan Ansari, as he will be introduced to elite coaching, video analysis, and the temperament of the longest format of the game. This would largely help him accelerate his own learning curve.
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