NEW DELHI: J&K looked set for a famous victory after defeating Ishan Kishan-led Jharkhand for 107 in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2019 match. The chase presented the perfect opportunity for batsman Abdul Samad to showcase his pedigree. However, an ambitious failed attempt against spinner Shahbaz Nadeem proved costly, forcing him back to the pavilion for just four. J&K’s chase fizzled out soon after Samad’s dismissal, falling short by just seven runs.
“There were some harsh words that I shared with Abdul. However, he is a quick learner and an open conversation was enough to get the message across,” former J&K head coach Milap Mewada said during an exclusive interaction with TimesofIndia.com.
The 24-year-old cricketer is undoubtedly a quick learner, which was reflected in the way he adapted to all surfaces during the recent edition of the Ranji Trophy. Samad emerged as J&K’s leading run-getter, amassing 748 runs in 10 matches with one hundred and five fifties, leading his team to a historic title. The batsman especially demonstrated his caliber in the final against Karnataka, curbing his attacking instincts to ensure solidity and maintain constant pressure.
‘Developing mental toughness under Irfan Pathan’
While Samad’s maturity and composure are the talk of the town, the road to executing this steely mentality has been a long and drawn-out process. The 24-year-old batsman had to face blows when he was dismissed for low scores in the 2024-25 Ranji season, and J&K coach Ajay Sharma even dropped him after a hasty dismissal against Mumbai. However, the 2025/26 season had to be different, something Samad astutely ensured under the guidance of former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan.
“It’s about mental toughness and handling pressure situations, a skill set that Irfan bhai has played a key role in improving. While young Abdul loved smashing the ball, the current version knows the importance of controlling his instincts, staying on the wicket and being smart with shot selection,” Mewada said.
“Irfan is like an older brother and mentor to Abdul. Whenever something bad happens, you know you can reach out to your parents, which sums up their relationship. Irfan constantly guides Abdul, taking the time to provide solutions in difficult times. There is now clarity in the mindset to excel, having seen the ups and downs,” he added.
Convincing reluctant recruiters, Tom Moody’s guide
Mewada and Irfan recommended Samad for the J&K Under-19 team, impressing at trials that attracted nearly 900 boys. The 24-year-old batsman’s ability to score at a rapid pace was enough to convince the duo about his potential. Mewada and Irfan even convinced the selectors to pick Samad in the senior team, despite his reluctance.
Former SRH head coach Tom Moody and franchise assistant coach Simon Helmot also played a key role in helping the 24-year-old cricketer achieve his potential, working on his knowledge of the game. “The focus was always on staying calm and aware of the situation. Staying still and present in the moment is critical to success. Moody would encourage and support you, working on a solution-focused approach and helping you develop structured inputs,” Helmot shared.
Leading from the front
Interestingly, the J&K batsman initially started as an opener, switching to the middle order after being urged by former Team India all-rounder Parvez Rasool. While Samad left Rasool disappointed with his play in previous seasons, the former J&K captain is full of praise for his display in the recent campaign. “Abdul can play all the shots, but earlier he was falling behind. I always told him that he has not been able to perform to his potential. However, Abdul took the responsibility and led from the front for J&K in the recent Ranji season, believing in his capabilities,” Rasool said.
With a major milestone passed and the excitement of accomplishing a feat that seemed nearly impossible at one point, a glorious world of possibilities beckons.