The mega auction of IPL 2025 is just 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 batting as a lower order batsman, often assuming the finisher’s role. He was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 20 lakh and made his IPL debut in 2020.

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In 50 IPL matches, he scored 577 runs at an impressive strike rate of 146.08. Despite his evident potential, Samad is yet to fully showcase his skills in the IPL.

SRH consistently backed him for his promise but they released him before the IPL 2025 auction due to his below-par performance in IPL 2024. However, Samad is still considered as one of the strongest Indian finishers. Franchises looking for a reliable finisher are likely to bid for him in the auction.

With a base price of INR 30 lakh, it is expected to attract the attention of several teams.

Let’s take a look at the 4 teams that will look to target Abdul Samad in the IPL 2025 auction.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru could chase Abdul Samad in the IPL 2025 auction as they have struggled to find a good finisher in recent years. Dinesh Karthik played the finisher’s role for the last few seasons but with his retirement, RCB now needs to find a replacement.

Before the auction, RCB had only retained three players, with Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar being both top-order batsmen. This makes finding a reliable finisher a priority for the team. Abdul Samad could fit in perfectly, and the short boundaries at the Chinnaswamy Stadium could boost his batting power. RCB have also been lacking strong Indian finishers, so adding Samad could greatly improve their lower-order batting.

Kings of Punjab (PBKS)

Punjab Kings have only retained two uncapped players, Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh. Given their preference for home-grown and unfettered Indian talent, they are likely to bid for Abdul Samad. In IPL 2024, players like Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma excelled in the finisher’s role, but Punjab could only retain Shashank. Since Ashutosh is expected to fetch a higher price in the auction, Punjab may not chase him.

Abdul Samad could be the solution to his finishing problems. With a base price of just INR 30 lakh, it 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 make a bid for Abdul Samad as they prefer to have young Indian talent in their team. 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 his team, but he could also play the much-needed role of finisher.

In recent seasons, RR has struggled with the runner-up 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 the likes of 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 right to match (RTM) only on one uncapped player. With limited options among uncapped players, they may look to use their RTM to bring Abdul Samad back into the team. SRH has consistently supported Samad, and using RTM could allow them to get him at a cheaper price than the INR 4 million 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 fitness, he can be a dangerous player. His aggressive batting style fits well with SRH’s strategy, and they could 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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