Abdul Samad

Abdul Samad

Role: Batter
DOB: 28 October 2001
IPL Team (2026): Sunrisers Hyderabad
Base Price: Retained by SRH (INR 4 Cr)

The Story of Abdul Samad

Hailing from the picturesque valleys of Jammu & Kashmir, Abdul Samad burst onto the IPL scene as a raw, fearless talent with a bat that seemed to have a mind of its own. Born on October 28, 2001, Samad was earmarked as a future star from his early days, showcasing an uncanny ability to clear boundaries with effortless power. His journey from the domestic circuits of J&K to the grand stage of the IPL is a testament to his sheer hitting prowess and the vision of scouts who saw beyond his nascent experience.

The Sunrisers Hyderabad were the first to recognize his potential, picking him up in 2020. It was a baptism by fire, but Samad quickly showed glimpses of his destructive capability. His debut season saw him play some crucial cameos, often coming in at the death and changing the momentum of an innings with quickfire runs. He quickly became known for his audacious six-hitting, particularly against pace, making him a fan favorite and a nightmare for opposition bowlers.

Samad’s playing style is characterized by his aggressive intent and clean striking. He’s not one to shy away from taking on the best bowlers, often targeting the cow corner region with his powerful bottom-hand shots. While consistency has been a learning curve, his ability to turn a game on its head in a matter of overs makes him an invaluable asset in the T20 format. His breakthrough moment arguably came in IPL 2023, when he famously hit a last-ball six against Rajasthan Royals to seal an improbable victory, etching his name into SRH folklore and showcasing his ice-cool temperament under pressure.

Over the years, Samad has evolved, adding more dimensions to his game, though his primary role remains that of a power-hitter. His development under the guidance of SRH has seen him mature, understanding game situations better while retaining his natural attacking flair. He’s a player who thrives on confidence, and when he’s in full flow, there are few sights more exhilarating in T20 cricket.

IPL Journey: Team by Team

Abdul Samad’s entire IPL journey, since his debut in 2020, has been synonymous with the Sunrisers Hyderabad. He was first acquired by SRH for his base price of INR 20 lakhs in the 2020 IPL auction. Despite being a relatively unknown commodity from Jammu & Kashmir, SRH’s scouting network saw immense potential in his power-hitting abilities.

His performances in 2020 and 2021, though sporadic, were impactful enough for the franchise to show immense faith in him. Ahead of the 2022 mega-auction, SRH made a bold move by retaining Abdul Samad for a significant INR 4 crore, making him one of their key retentions alongside Kane Williamson and Umran Malik. This decision underscored their long-term vision for Samad as a core member of their batting unit, particularly in the finisher’s role.

Since his retention, Samad has continued to be a vital part of the SRH setup, featuring prominently in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons. While his opportunities in the top order have been limited due to his designated role, he has consistently delivered crucial cameos, often turning the tide in the death overs. His journey with SRH is a testament to a franchise investing in young, raw talent and nurturing them into match-winners.

What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective

Abdul Samad is a high-risk, high-reward bettor’s dream, primarily due to his explosive batting style and specific role. His primary strength lies in his incredible power-hitting, particularly against pace. He has one of the highest strike rates among Indian batters in the death overs, making him a prime candidate for “Total Sixes” or “Player to hit a Six” prop bets, especially on flat tracks and smaller grounds.

Strengths for Betting:

• Explosive Strike Rate: Consistently maintains a strike rate above 150, making him valuable for quick runs. Bet on him for “Over/Under Player Runs” when SRH needs a high run rate in the last few overs.
• Death Over Specialist: Thrives against pace at the backend of an innings. Look for “Highest Strike Rate in Innings” bets if he gets a decent number of balls.
• Boundary Hitter: High propensity to hit sixes. Excellent for “Player Sixes” or “Team Sixes” markets.

Weaknesses & Considerations:

• Inconsistency: Due to his aggressive approach and lower-order role, his scores can be highly variable. Avoid “Player to Score 50” unless he’s promoted up the order or has exceptional form.
• Limited Opportunities: Often bats at 6 or 7, meaning fewer balls to face. This makes “Total Runs” bets tricky unless SRH has a top-order collapse.
• Spin Vulnerability: While he can hit spin, quality leg-spinners or off-spinners with variations can sometimes trouble him early in his innings.

When to Bet On/Against:
Bet ON Samad when SRH is chasing a big total, playing on a flat pitch with short boundaries (e.g., Hyderabad, Bengaluru), or when he’s facing a bowling attack with weaker death-over pacers. He thrives when there’s a clear mandate to go after the bowling. Bet AGAINST him for high run totals if the pitch is slow, or if he’s coming in against a top-tier spin attack in the middle overs. His “Not Out” percentage is also decent for a finisher, which can be a factor in some markets.

Key Records & Milestones

• Youngest player from Jammu & Kashmir to debut in the IPL (at 18 years, 336 days in 2020).
• One of the few players from J&K to be retained by an IPL franchise for INR 4 crore (ahead of IPL 2022 auction).
• Hit a match-winning six off the last ball against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2023, chasing 215, showcasing incredible composure.
• Achieved his maiden IPL fifty in IPL 2025, scoring 52* off just 25 balls, further cementing his role as a finisher.
• Maintained a career IPL strike rate above 160, placing him among the most explosive Indian batters in the league’s history (minimum 400 runs).

IPL Season Highlights

IPL 2023: The Last-Ball Heroics
The 2023 season was a significant step forward for Samad. While his overall runs (169 from 10 innings) might not jump off the page, his impact was undeniable. His defining moment came against Rajasthan Royals, where SRH needed 5 runs off the last ball to chase a mammoth 215. Samad, having been caught off a no-ball on the previous delivery, held his nerve to smash Sandeep Sharma for a six over long-on, sealing an iconic victory. This innings of 17* off 7 balls, following other crucial cameos like 37* off 22 against Delhi Capitals, highlighted his growing maturity and ability to perform under pressure.

IPL 2025: Maiden Fifty and Consistent Finishing
Building on his previous seasons, IPL 2025 saw Abdul Samad truly come into his own as a reliable finisher. He played 12 matches, scoring 180 runs at an impressive average of 36.00 and a blistering strike rate of 171.43. The highlight was his maiden IPL fifty, an unbeaten 52 off just 25 balls against Punjab Kings, where he single-handedly propelled SRH to a competitive total from a tricky situation. His ability to consistently find boundaries and clear the ropes made him an indispensable asset in the death overs, often providing the late surge SRH desperately needed.

IPL 2020: The Promising Debut
In his debut season, Samad showcased his raw talent, scoring 111 runs from 8 innings at a strike rate of 158.57. While his scores weren’t massive, his fearless approach and ability to hit sixes against established bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins immediately caught the eye. His 33* off 16 balls against Delhi Capitals and a quickfire 26 off 19 against Chennai Super Kings were early indicators of the destructive force he was destined to become, laying the foundation for his future with the Sunrisers Hyderabad.