The world sat with bated breath for the inception of a young Abdul Samad in Indian Premier League as he became the fourth Kashmiri cricketer to grace the domestic extravaganza.
It was a long wait for the youngster to share the dressing room with greats of the game like Dave Warner, Jonny Bairstow and Kane Williamson. He didn’t really have it easy in his journey to the clique of elites.
Samad was picked up after a knockout performance in the preceding domestic season that also saw him bowling some wily leg spin which was quite fast in nature. He sliced the bowlers in Ranji Trophy with the highest number of sixes, smoking 36 of them in the fray.
He played for Jammu and Kashmir in the previous IPL that saw him stitching 592 runs striking at a staggering rate of 113.
Guided by Irfan Pathan and Anil Kumble in his long journey, he developed himself into a hitting machine that saw him effortlessly carving monstrous sixes in the Ranji Trophy.
When he came out to bat today, it was an extremely difficult situation for the youngster as only two overs were left and he was face to face with one of the meanest fast bowlers in the ranks of Delhi.
Nortje was bowling continuously at 140 plus kays that ocassionally kissed speeds of 145 kmph too. Samad opened his account with a mishit that saw the ball running down the third man boundary after a botched up connect. The next ball was what underlined the youngster’s brilliance as he smacked him for a titanic six that rained at least 50 rows back in the stands and the ball was released at 145 kmph.
What can be a better start to a youngster who loves to free his arms according to his will? Twitter hailed him in the most remarkable ways, greeting him to the cricket roster.
So good to see a young man from Jammu and Kashmir on the big stage. Hope young #AbdulSamad has a good game.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 29, 2020
A moment (and a shot) to cherish for Abdul Samad!#DCvSRH #OrangeArmy #KeepRising pic.twitter.com/JDhlJyTy3U
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) September 29, 2020
Abdul samad smashed six to the Nortje. Another day, another indian youngster showing his class. This time the mentor is @IrfanPathan.
Good to see.— Kiran (@kirangujar1) September 29, 2020
Abdul Samad, young cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir, who was playing for @SunRisers Hyderabad on his @IPL debut today. pic.twitter.com/ucok3hqsAq
— Umaisar Gull (اُمیسر گُل) (@Umaisar_Gull) September 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/chaitu_20/status/1310972544321691649?s=19
A moment of pride for whole Peer Panjal.
Abdul Samad from a border district of Rajouri will make his first beginning in IPL.
Congratulations. May you always Shine & Rise #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/fs5uHKLNVt
— Saima Chowdhary (@ChowdharySaima) September 29, 2020
A moment (and a shot) to cherish for Abdul Samad!#DCvSRH #OrangeArmy #KeepRising pic.twitter.com/JDhlJyTy3U
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) September 29, 2020
Congratulations @IrfanPathan ,your hard work reflects..welcome debut of #abdulsamad frm J&K…mubarak coach saheb
— Dipti Ranjan Mohapatra (@Diptispeaks) September 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/crickcosmos/status/1310974909716115462?s=19
@IrfanPathan SIR WHAT A FIND YOU DID OF ABDULSAMAD HATS OFF WITH THAT ONE SIX WE UNDERSTOOD WHAT HE IS
— RANADHEER REDDY (@RANADHE60862843) September 29, 2020
