He might be inconsistent. He might get out playing a rash shot. But Abdul Samad continues to be J&K’s most impactful batter, and he proved it yet again with a stunning century against Baroda to help his team escape an innings defeat.
After J&K were reduced to 52/4 in the follow-on, Samad counter-attacked with a magnificent 143 off 152 balls, helping the side secure a draw. His innings was a reminder of what he brings to the team: the ability to change the course of a match when the situation looks bleak.
Samad’s game has always been built around playing his shots. There will be occasions when a particular stroke looks unnecessary, especially when the team needs to preserve wickets. But the same instinct can turn a difficult situation around, as it did against Baroda. His attacking approach is his greatest strength, and J&K must find a way to harness it rather than curb it.
Samad has not always enjoyed uninterrupted backing. He has been dropped in the past and sent back to the Under-23 level, while a few failures have often brought his place under scrutiny. Yet, time and again, he has responded with performances that make his value difficult to ignore.
His numbers from last season tell their own story. Samad scored 748 runs at an average of 57.53 in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy, finishing as J&K’s leading run-scorer and playing a key role in their maiden title-winning campaign.
His latest innings against Baroda is another reminder that, despite the occasional failure, Samad remains one of J&K’s most valuable batting assets. Sometimes, the very shots that invite criticism are the ones that make him a match-winner.
