Key Points
- Abdul Samad, born October 28, 2001, in Jammu, is a cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir, currently playing for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025.
- He started with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2020, scoring 599 runs in 51 IPL matches, and was bought by LSG for INR 4.20 crore in 2025.
- Research suggests his domestic highlights include twin centuries in a Ranji Trophy match in October 2024, a first for Jammu and Kashmir.
- It seems likely that, at 23, he has potential for the Indian national team, though he hasn’t debuted internationally yet.
Early Life and Background
Abdul Samad grew up in Kalakote village, Jammu, with his father Mohammed Farooq, a physical education instructor, and his homemaker mother. His brother Taiyyab, once a cricketer, influenced his passion for the game, inspired by Rohit Sharma. The family moved to Sidhra in 2009 for better opportunities, and at 16, Samad was spotted by Irfan Pathan and Milap Mewada, launching his cricket career.
Domestic Career
Samad debuted in the 2018-19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 76* off 51 balls. He made List A and first-class debuts in 2019-20, excelling in the Ranji Trophy with back-to-back hundreds initially and, in October 2024, becoming the first from Jammu and Kashmir to score twin centuries in a match against Odyssey, with 127 and 108.
IPL Journey
Signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20 lakh in 2020, Samad played 51 matches, scoring 599 runs at a 148.63 strike rate. Retained in 2022, he was part of the 2024 finals team. In 2025, LSG bought him for INR 4.20 crore, and he scored 22* in his debut match for LSG against SRH on March 27, 2025, contributing to a 5-wicket win (ESPNCricinfo).
Achievements and Future
His Ranji Trophy twin centuries are notable, and at 23, his IPL performances suggest potential for India, though he’s yet to debut internationally.
Survey Note: Comprehensive Profile of Abdul Samad, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Achievements as of 2025
Abdul Samad, a promising Indian cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir, has emerged as a significant figure in both domestic and franchise cricket. Born on October 28, 2001, in Kalakote village, Jammu, he is currently 23 years old and plays for the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. His journey from a small village to the IPL highlights his talent and determination, making him a player to watch in the coming years.
Early Life and Family Background
Samad’s family background is rooted in middle-class values, with his father, Mohammed Farooq, serving as a physical education instructor, and his mother a homemaker. His older brother, Taiyyab, was once a cricketer and is now pursuing a master’s in physical education, influencing Samad’s early interest in the sport. Growing up, Samad was an unabashed fan of Rohit Sharma, practicing batting in front of mirrors and playing gully cricket with friends. In 2009, the family moved to Sidhra for better educational and cricketing opportunities, a strategic decision that proved pivotal. At 16, during a trial camp in Jammu in 2018, he was spotted by former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan and coach Milap Mewada, setting the stage for his professional career (Wikipedia).
Domestic Career: A Rising Star
Samad’s domestic career began with his Twenty20 debut for Jammu & Kashmir in the 2018-19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he made an immediate impact, scoring an unbeaten 76 off 51 balls. This performance showcased his big-hitting prowess, a trait that would define his style. He followed this with his List A debut on September 27, 2019, in the 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy, and his first-class debut on December 9, 2019, in the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy.
His Ranji Trophy performances have been particularly noteworthy. In his debut season, he scored back-to-back explosive hundreds, establishing himself as a key batsman. A historic moment came in October 2024 during a match against Odyssey, where he became the first player from Jammu and Kashmir to score twin centuries in a single match. He scored 127 in the first innings and an unbeaten 108 in the second, hitting 15 sixes in total, a feat that has only been bettered twice before by Indians in first-class cricket (India Today). His first-class statistics, as of recent updates, show 29 matches, 1610 runs at an average of 40.25, with six centuries and six fifties, and 7 wickets (ESPNCricinfo).
In List A cricket, he has played 28 matches, scoring 720 runs at an average of 25.71, with one century and six fifties, and taken 2 wickets. In T20s, across 91 matches, he has scored 1500 runs at a strike rate of 147.78, with five fifties and 4 wickets, underlining his consistency in the shorter format.
IPL Journey: From SRH to LSG
Samad’s IPL journey began in 2020 when he was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for Rs 20 lakh, making him the fourth cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to earn an IPL contract. He made his debut on September 29, 2020, against Delhi Capitals, and over five seasons with SRH, he played 51 matches, batting in 41 innings and scoring 599 runs, with a highest score of 37*. His strike rate of 148.63 reflects his aggressive approach, hitting 39 fours and 38 sixes, and he also took 2 wickets in 5 bowling innings (ESPNCricinfo).
Season-wise, in IPL 2020, he had a strike rate of 170.76 across eight innings, showing promise as a finisher. However, his returns in 2021 were sub-par, and while retained for IPL 2022 at INR 4 crore, he struggled for consistency, being in and out of the XI. Despite this, he was a consistent choice in 2024, contributing to SRH reaching the finals. His IPL statistics are detailed in the following table:
| Season | Team | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest | Average | Strike Rate | Fours | Sixes | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | SRH | 8 | 8 | ~100 | 37* | ~12.50 | 170.76 | ~10 | ~10 | 0 |
| 2021 | SRH | ~5 | ~5 | ~50 | ~20* | ~10.00 | ~140.00 | ~5 | ~5 | 0 |
| 2022-2024 | SRH | ~38 | ~28 | ~449 | 37* | ~20.43 | ~148.00 | ~24 | ~23 | 2 |
| 2025 | LSG | 1 | 1 | 22* | 22* | – | ~275.00 | ~2 | ~2 | 0 |
Note: Exact season-wise stats for 2021-2024 are approximated based on total figures, as detailed breakdowns were not fully available.
In a significant move, ahead of IPL 2025, Samad was bought by Lucknow Super Giants for INR 4.20 crore during the mega auction. His first match for LSG was against SRH on March 27, 2025, at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, where he scored an unbeaten 22 off 8 balls, contributing to LSG’s 5-wicket victory with 23 balls remaining (ESPNCricinfo).
Achievements and Awards
Samad’s achievements include being the first Jammu and Kashmir player to score twin centuries in a Ranji Trophy match, a record set in October 2024. In IPL, while he hasn’t won individual awards, his contribution to SRH reaching the 2024 finals and his recent performance for LSG are notable. His high strike rate in T20 cricket, especially in IPL, underscores his value as a finisher.
Playing Style and Strengths
Samad is a right-handed batsman known for his aggressive, big-hitting style, particularly effective in T20 cricket. His ability to clear the boundary with ease, as seen in his 15 sixes in the Ranji Trophy match, makes him a fan favorite. He also bowls leg-spin, though his bowling has been underutilized in IPL, with only 2 wickets in 51 matches. His recent performances suggest he is adding discretion to his game, balancing aggression with situational awareness.
Recent Performances and Statistics
As of March 28, 2025, his recent matches include:
- LSG vs SRH, March 27, 2025: Scored 22* off 8 balls, contributing to a win (ESPNCricinfo).
- Ranji Trophy, January 23, 2025: Scored 19 and 24 against Mumbai, took 0/6 (ESPNCricinfo).
- Vijay Hazare Trophy, December 31, 2024: Scored 112 against Mizoram (ESPNCricinfo).
His career statistics across formats are detailed below:
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest | Average | Strike Rate | Centuries | Fifties | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class (FC) | 29 | 45 | 1610 | 128 | 40.25 | 97.33 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| List A | 28 | 28 | 720 | 112 | 25.71 | 120.20 | 1 | 6 | 2 |
| T20s | 91 | 77 | 1500 | 76* | 27.27 | 147.78 | 0 | 5 | 4 |
| IPL | 51 | 41 | 599 | 37* | 19.96 | 148.63 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Future Prospects
At 23, Samad has significant potential for growth. His performances in domestic cricket, especially the Ranji Trophy twin centuries, and his IPL contributions suggest he could be in contention for the Indian national team. While he hasn’t debuted internationally yet, his move to LSG in 2025 provides a new platform to showcase his skills, potentially accelerating his path to the national side.
Conclusion
Abdul Samad’s career trajectory is inspiring, from his early days in Jammu to becoming a key IPL player. His achievements, such as the historic Ranji Trophy performance, and his recent IPL form with LSG, position him as a rising star in Indian cricket. As he continues to develop, his impact on the game is expected to grow, making him a name to watch in the future.
