Delhi-based batsman Ayush Badoni represented India U-19 four years ago, but the talented youngster was not picked for his state team as well as IPL franchises for a while. However, when he got the opportunity to showcase his skills for the KL Rahul-led Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) against Gujarat Titans (GT) on Monday, he shouldered responsibility and came up with a sensible half-century in his debut game.
Badoni revealed to the media on Monday night that former India opener and team mentor Gautam Gambhir helped him overcome his struggles. “I did not get a chance for Delhi. I enhanced my game, tried new shots, learnt new shots and that helped me in T20 cricket. My name had been coming up [in IPL auctions] for three years, but I went unsold. When my name cropped up [at the latest auction] this time, my heart was racing,” Badoni said.
Gautam Gambhir. Pic/AFP
Badoni scored an unbeaten 185 for India U-19 in the Youth Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo in July 2018 and smashed 52 in 28 balls against the same opponents in U-19 Asia Cup final at Mirpur three months later. Yet, he went unsold at IPL auctions and got only five opportunities for Delhi in T20 cricket.
Though LSG lost to GT by five wickets on Monday, the slim Badoni made an impression by smashing a 41-ball 54 (4×4, 3×6). Lucknow had lost their top four batsmen for just 29 by the fifth over and managed only 47 after 10 overs. But Badoni, who was sent ahead of the experienced Krunal Pandya (21 not out), joined Deepak Hooda (41-ball 55, 6×4, 2×6) and stitched an 87-run stand in 68 balls, which helped LSG to post 158-6 in 20 overs.
Badoni looked confident even while facing a top-class leg-spinner like Rashid Khan (1-27), dispatching his googly for a six with a slog-sweep. The right-hander also hit sixes off pacer Lockie Ferguson and GT captain Hardik Pandya. Badoni felt that a couple of 50-plus scores during the practice games turned things in his favour. “Gautam bhaiya backed me. He just advised me to play the ball, not the bowler. That gave me a lot of confidence. He asked me to play my natural game, stressing that the senior players would handle the match situation. Thus, I could play freely,” Badoni remarked.
