Samad is still regarded as one of the hardest-hitting Indian finishers. Franchises seeking a reliable finisher are likely to bid for him in the auction.
The mega auction for IPL 2025 is around the corner. A total of 574 players have registered for the auction, and among them is Abdul Samad.
Abdul Samad is known for his powerful hitting as a lower-order batter, often taking on the role of a finisher. He was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 20 lakh and made his IPL debut in 2020.
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Over 50 IPL matches, he has scored 577 runs at an impressive strike rate of 146.08. Despite his evident potential, Samad is yet to fully showcase his abilities in the IPL.
SRH consistently backed him for his promise, but they released him ahead of the IPL 2025 auction due to his below-par performance in IPL 2024. However, Samad is still regarded as one of the hardest-hitting Indian finishers. Franchises seeking a reliable finisher are likely to bid for him in the auction.
With a base price of INR 30 lakh, he is expected to attract attention from multiple teams.
Let’s look at the 4 teams that will look to target Abdul Samad at IPL 2025 auction.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru might go after Abdul Samad in the IPL 2025 auction, as they have struggled to find a good finisher in recent years. Dinesh Karthik played the role of a finisher for the last couple of seasons, but with his retirement, RCB now needs to find a replacement.
Before the auction, RCB have retained only three players, with Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar both being top-order batters. This makes finding a reliable finisher a top priority for the team. Abdul Samad could be the perfect fit, and the short boundaries at the Chinnaswamy Stadium could boost his power-hitting. RCB have also lacked strong Indian finishers, so adding Samad could greatly improve their lower-order batting.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Punjab Kings have only retained two uncapped players, Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh. Given their preference for domestic, uncapped Indian talent, they are likely to bid for Abdul Samad. In the IPL 2024, players like Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma excelled in the finisher’s role, but Punjab could only retain Shashank. With Ashutosh expected to be priced higher in the auction, Punjab may not pursue him back.
Abdul Samad could be the solution to their finishing problems. With a base price of just INR 30 lakh, he represents a more affordable option for Punjab. Given their need for a strong finisher, Punjab Kings will likely look to bid for Samad and strengthen their lower order.
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Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Rajasthan Royals are likely to bid for Abdul Samad, as they prefer having young Indian talent in their squad. With players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel already part of the team, all in a similar age group to Samad, he could be a great addition to their lineup. Not only could he strengthen their squad, but he could also fill the much-needed finisher role.
In recent seasons, RR has struggled with the finisher position. While their top and middle orders perform well, their batting tends to lose momentum towards the end. Adding Samad to the mix could provide the perfect solution, complementing their middle order with players like Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer, and ensuring the team has a strong finish to their innings.
Surnisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Sunrisers Hyderabad have retained five players and can use their one Right to Match (RTM) only on an uncapped player. With limited options among uncapped players, they may look to use their RTM to bring Abdul Samad back into the squad. SRH has consistently supported Samad, and using the RTM might allow them to get him at a lower price than the INR 4 crore it would have cost to retain him directly.
SRH are well aware of Samad’s potential and may give him another chance, knowing that if he returns to form, he can be a dangerous player. His aggressive batting style fits well with SRH’s strategy, and they might look to bring him back to strengthen their lineup. Given their history of supporting him, SRH could use their RTM to re-sign Samad at a more affordable price.
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