INTERVIEW | With an old head on his young shoulders, Abdul Samad looks to make most of Ranji outings

Express News Service

CHENNAI : When Abdul Samad walked in at 200/3 on the Day 2 of their Ranji Trophy match against Pondicherry, the pressure was on Jammu and Kashmir. With his team 143 runs behind, Samad’s 78-ball 103 ensured J&K started their campaign on a victorious note.

His knock was further evidence of why the 20-year-old is earmarked for big things in Indian cricket. In a conversation with this daily, the right-hander opens up about his innings, his batting and more. Excerpts… 

There was something casual about your second scoring shot — a six over mid-on. Can you explain?

Actually, the ball was moving away from me. He was bowling out-swingers. So I just decided to charge him. That’s why I went straight. I was trying to bat with a straight bat. And I connected well and it went well.

But your team had just lost two quick wickets…

Actually, I connected the first boundary (flick) very well and I got confidence out of it. That went from the middle off the bat and I tried to analyse the situation. I just played my game without changing much. Eventually, it is the run that matters.

You are keeping it so simple. Do you get pulled up by the coach when you get out going for a big shot?

(Laughs). Whenever I get out, everyone says you could have stayed a bit longer and could have scored more runs. But I was confident that I’m going to play a good amount of deliveries and get some good runs. I was trying to play balls and stay in the crease. Boundaries were coming easily. They were bowling to me in the slot. So I had to go for those. 

Mithun Manhas (JKCA official) says all we ask from Samad is to face 60-70 deliveries in an innings…

I also had a chat with him and that is what he tells me. Target a minimum of 60 balls… that would be enough for you to score a century. But in this game, I was targeting 150 balls. That’s why I was disappointed. 

The last couple of IPL editions has been huge for you. Did those things add pressure, particularly being retained by Hyderabad?

First of all, I’m grateful that I’m playing the Ranji Trophy and IPL as well. As far as handling that pressure is concerned (chuckles), you shouldn’t think too much about that. If you do, then you tend to overthink and it gives space for lots of unnecessary thoughts.

A lot of thoughts in the mind create a much bigger problem (laughs). You just have to stay focussed on one thing: what are you capable of and what you can do and what you can achieve?  That’s it. That is what keeps me positive.

You sound way too mature for a 20-year-old…

(Laughs) I don’t even know where I got this from. Even whatever I just said, I don’t know. 

IPL can also be a distraction. How do you handle it?

As far as IPL is concerned, I firmly believe I have done nothing. With my ability, I have to come up with a lot of good performances. I’m not trying to put pressure on myself, but I believe Playing IPL alone is not enough. I will try to make this year big.

Full story: newindianexpress.com