Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 4: The man who nurtured basics of ‘Gentleman’s Game’ to young turk from Jammu and Kashmir representing Sunrisers Hyderabad, Abdul Samad, his first Coach, an unsung hero, Randhir Singh found the all-rounder fit for all cricket formats.
Talking to UNI here today Jamwal, famous as ‘Rajan Sir’ among cricketers, wishing a bright future to Abdul Samad, who became a star in IPL debut against Delhi Capitals, said that he is a “floating batsman” and is fit for all formats.
“Samad is an all-rounder and this is need for game of cricket presently in all formats,” said the Coach. He expressed that he is a “floating batsman” and adjusts himself as per the situation, adding, “he fits in T20, 50 Overs game and even test matches because he has that calibre.”
“Now a days, cricket means big score in all formats and Samad plays big shots, rotates scoreboard very quickly, so he will easily attract the selectors in coming days,” Singh expressed.
Sharing moments from the day Samad joined the professional net sessions, the proud Coach said that he joined him in the year 2012 and thereafter he represented Under-14, Under-16, Under-19 cricket tournaments for Jammu and Kashmir.
“Despite hue and cry from various quarters, one of the selectors get him into the team in Under 21 and he performed well and was noticed by the selectors,” he said adding that Indian cricketer, Irfan Pathan when joined Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association as mentor, also pushed the budding cricketer to heights.
“And the journey to success began the day he consistently performed in T20 and other formats of domestic cricket,” said Singh. He has good pace, batting skills of playing big shots, so he can be banked upon by any team and he confidently bat/ball in every situation, said the Coach.
In a message the Coach further said, “if his performance in the IPL remains consistent and being a teenager, he has a big edge. So he will soon be a blue-eyed of selectors.”
“We wish him all success, may he represents Indian team and performs well,” smiled the mentor. Meanwhile, Samad’s father Mohammad Farooq, a physical education teacher by profession in Jammu and Kashmir Department of Youth Services and Sports, said “it is a proud moment for the entire region.”
“Finally everyone’s hardwork paid,” said the Father adding that he wanted to get Samad and his elder brother Tayyab Farooq, who is also a cricketer, to get trained in a private academy but due to financial crunch, he couldn’t. “I dropped Samad to Randhir Singh, a cricket coach with J&K Sports Council and he nurtured him with basics and cricket techniques,” said Mr Farooq.
He also thanked Irfan Pathan, JKCA skipper Parvez Rasool and the Association for channelising Samad into right directions. The father also credited his hardwork to Samad’s mother Farzana Kousar, who always supported him even in odd times.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had also congratulated Abdul Samad for IPL debut. Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan also complimented Abdul Samad for his debut in Indian Premier League (IPL) and termed the occasion as a proud moment for the entire Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Khan complimented Samad for his first appearance in the prestigious cricket league and reiterated that J&K is full of rich talent and players from the region have proved their mettle whenever they are being provided a platform to perform.
Samad was signed up by the SRH in the players’ auction for Rs 20 lakh in the December 2019 auction. Born on October 28, 2001, Samad made his Twenty20 debut for Jammu and Kashmir in the 2018-19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy February 21, 2019.
He made his List A debut on September 27, 2019, for Jammu and Kashmir in the 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy. He made his first-class debut on December 9, 2019, for Jammu and Kashmir in the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy. (UNI)
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