SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s Abdul Samad made history on Monday by becoming the first player from his state to score two centuries in a single Ranji Trophy match. Taking on Odisha at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Samad’s explosive performance saw him strike 15 sixes over the course of both innings, a feat only surpassed twice by Indians in First Class cricket.
In the first innings, Samad’s aggressive 117-ball 127 featured nine sixes and six fours, keeping Jammu and Kashmir competitive despite narrowly missing out on a first-innings lead after Odisha posted 272 in reply to J&K’s 270. Samad then delivered another masterclass in power-hitting in the second innings, rescuing his team from a top-order collapse with an unbeaten 108 off 108 balls, which included five fours and six sixes. His efforts set a 269-run target for Odisha with more than two sessions remaining on Day 4.
At just 22 years old, Samad’s blistering batting has already earned him recognition in the domestic circuit, with over 1,400 runs and six centuries in 25 First Class matches. His ability to clear the ropes caught the attention of SunRisers Hyderabad, who signed him in 2020. Over five IPL seasons, Samad appeared 50 times for SRH, accumulating more than 550 runs and smashing 36 sixes.
