Abdul Samad was first drafted into SRH way back in 2020, and since then the J&K all-rounder has gone on to play 50 matches for the franchise, without doing much. The lad, over the seasons, has been made to bat lower down the order, where he doesn’t get much opportunity, and whatever chances he gets, it is safe to say, he has not made the best use of it.
Ordinary Abdul Samad in IPL
He has only scored 577 runs in his career, at an average of 19.23, with no fifties to his name. Till this season, many wondered, why SRH was even persisting with him, when had no performances to back him up. But now, when everyone is talking about the IPL Retentions and IPL Auction, Samad has done something, that might keep Sunrisers Hyderabad interested.
In the recently concluded Ranji Trophy match between J&K and Odisha, Abdul Samad smashed twin tons, becoming first player from the state to do so. In the first innings, he went on to score 127 from 117, and then followed it up with 108 from 108. That meant, the team nearly beat Odisha, but the match narrowly ended in a draw.
Twin Tons Could Change IPL Retention Policy
That has for sure changed things for SRH in the IPL retentions. In a normal scenario, the team would have been tempted to retain Pat Cummins, Heirich Klaasen, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head + Nitish Reddy as the RTM, now Abdul Samad comes in as the sixth IPL retention as an uncapped player.
It is needless to say, that comparison in Ranji Trophy and the IPL is like comparing apples and oranges, but then it does have some bearing. Just for the record, he has played 25 FC matches so far, and has scored 1475 runs at an average of 44, with six tons and six fifties.
Plus, he is a decent leg spinner as well, who across formats has not been used well. He just has four wickets to show in T20s in 83 matches. But if given a chance up the batting order, and enough bowling chances, he could prove to be, what Riyan Parag is for RR.
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