Ayush Badoni, a batsman for the Lucknow Super Giants, aims to make a significant impact with his Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) batsman Ayush Badoni is eager to make a significant impact as a bowler in the upcoming IPL season. He believes that his experience in the IPL has greatly improved his cricketing skills.
Ayush Badoni in IPL
The motto of the Indian Premier League (IPL), “Where Talent Meets Opportunity,” truly reflects its impact on cricket in India. It has revealed many promising players, and Ayush Badoni is one of them. He is preparing for his third season in the IPL.
Badoni was picked by LSG during the 2022 IPL Auction for ₹20 lakhs. He made a strong debut, scoring a fifty. Batting at number six, he played a mature innings, turning a challenging situation from 29-4 to a solid total of 158 runs in 20 overs.
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Support from His Captain
In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.com, Badoni shared his plans for the upcoming IPL and how his role in the team is clearly defined.
“Since the start of the season, my captain at LSG, KL Rahul, has always told me to play my game and trust myself. The senior players will handle the situation. That really boosted my confidence,” said Badoni.
Badoni’s first fifty in the IPL showcased his ability to play freely without pressure, marking LSG’s debut match as a franchise. When the team faced a top-order collapse, it seemed they were headed for defeat. Before this, Badoni had only batted once in a T20 match, scoring just 8 runs in the 2021 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
A Memorable Debut
In his first IPL match, Badoni faced nerves but performed remarkably, scoring 54 runs off 41 balls. He formed two crucial partnerships with Deepak Hooda and Krunal Pandya, helping his team reach a respectable total. His impressive debut caught the attention of cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle, who famously asked him, “Where have you been hiding?” during a mid-innings interview.
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Overcoming Challenges
Unlike Mumbai, where budding talents find better support, Delhi’s cricket scene faces challenges due to feuds and nepotism within associations. Badoni, who hails from Delhi, played all his age-group cricket there but was fortunate to have the right mentors at crucial times. He developed his skills under the late coach Tarak Sinha and found guidance in Gautam Gambhir, who has been a mentor in the LSG setup.
Badoni expresses deep gratitude to Tarak Sinha for his invaluable teaching, considering him instrumental in his cricketing journey. He views Gautam Gambhir as an elder brother and a significant source of support.
“Tarak Sinha was my first coach. He guided me well and taught me cricket. I’m very grateful for his coaching. Gautam Gambhir is like an elder brother to me and a fantastic mentor,” -Badoni .
Focusing on Bowling
In the IPL, players need to be versatile, especially lower-order batters. After completing a full season of Ranji Trophy cricket with Delhi, Badoni has returned to Mumbai for the DY Patil T20 tournament, a great opportunity to practice before the IPL.
“This IPL, I’m focusing more on my bowling and want to contribute to the team as a bowler too. My preparation is going well, and I’m using this DY Patil T20 tournament for practice,” – Badoni
Badoni bowls right-arm off-spin and can be a valuable bowling option for his captain.
Learning from the IPL Experience
For many uncapped players, the IPL is a grand stage to learn alongside cricket greats. Badoni makes the most of every chance to learn from his peers and opponents. He acknowledges that the IPL has been crucial for his growth as a player.
“In the IPL, you face quality opposition and bowl against top batsmen. This experience has helped me immensely. I find domestic cricket easier now because I’ve handled the pressure in the IPL,” -Badoni.
As he enters his third season in the IPL, Badoni aims for a breakout year, especially with the T20 World Cup in the USA on the horizon right after the IPL.
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