Half-centurion Abdul Samad surpasses 700 runs in 2025-26 Ranji Trophy
What's the story
In the ongoing 2025-26 Ranji Trophy final, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) have put up a strong fight against eight-time champions Karnataka. After a stellar performance on Day 1, J&K maintained a strong position despite Karnataka's early breakthroughs on Day 2 at Hubli Cricket Ground. Abdul Samad was one of the many J&K batters to cross the 50-run mark in the first innings. He eventually departed after scoring 61 runs, which took him past 700 runs in the ongoing season.
Knock
A vital hand from Samad
J&K were blown by an injury to their skipper Paras Dogra when Samad arrived to bat on Day 1. He joined forces with centurion Shubham Pundir (121) as the two batters took the team score past 300. Samad, who was unbeaten on 52 at stumps on Day 1, could not contribute much on Day 2. Prasidh Krishna trapped him for a score of 61.
Stats
J&K's leading run-getter in the season
Samad's 104-ball 61 was laced with six fours and a maximum. He became the first J&K batter to complete 700 runs in 2025-26 Ranji Trophy. The dasher, who has 63 Indian Premier League (IPL) matches to his name, has completed 716 runs across 10 matches at 59.66. His strike rate is a healthy 70.61 as the 61 was his sixth 50-plus score (100: 1). Overall, he has completed 2,326 runs from 39 First-Class matches at 44-plus (100s: 7, 50s: 10).