Zeeshan Ansari: 'India A and IPL exposure has made me a better leg-spinner'
Leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari discusses his return to professional cricket after a six-year hiatus, crediting his recent exposure with India A and IPL-related training for his improvement. He reflects on the challenges of transitioning back to red-ball cricket and the Kookaburra ball during his recent tour of Sri Lanka.
Why it matters
It provides insight into the career trajectory of professional athletes and the impact of T20-dominated training on traditional red-ball skill sets.
NEW DELHI: Zeeshan Ansari went six years in cricket's red-ball wilderness. After playing for Uttar Pradesh against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy in January 2020, the legspinner admitted that he found it difficult to bowl with the red cherry. The influx of T20 competitions had accustomed him to the white ball over the red.That time away ended when the 26-year-old earned a surprise call-up to the India A squad for the Sri Lanka tour. The comeback didn't get a dream Bollywood-esque start. He gave away 76 runs in 19 overs in the first innings in Galle. He was then hammered for 29 runs in the four overs he bowled in the second essay.The Lucknow-born leggie admitted that the comeback had been a 'little difficult'. He sees this as a learning curve, with the exposure making him a better bowler."It was a good learning experience.
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