IPL 2022: Decoding the journey of LSG batter Ayush Badoni
Gujarat Titans defeated fellow debutants Lucknow Super Giants in match number four of the IPL 2022 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. However, the discovery of Ayush Badoni was the silver lining for KL Rahul-led LSG. The 22-year-old slammed a valiant half-century on his IPL debut that helped LSG recover from an early collapse. Here, we decode the journey of Ayush so far.
LSG side faced an early collapse (29/4) after GT invited them to bat. However, they managed a steady recovery and posted 158/6, owing to impressive fifties by experienced campaigner Deepak Hooda and debutant Ayush Badoni (54 off 41 balls). The latter started watchfully before accelerating with his flamboyant strokes. In response, GT (161/5), after a shaky start, pulled up a strong comeback.
Badoni first made his mark at the Under-19 level in 2018. He slammed an unbeaten 185 off 202 balls in a youth Test against Sri Lanka that year. In the final of Under-19 Asia Cup, the youngster smashed an unbeaten 52 off 28 deliveries against Sri Lanka. He helped India cross the 300-run mark (50 overs). India U-19 won the match by 144 runs.
Badoni went unsold in the last three IPL Auctions. He finally bagged the coveted IPL contract when LSG picked him during the IPL 2022 mega auction at a base price of Rs. 20 lakh. Notably, Badoni had featured in just five T20s (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021) before making his IPL debut. He batted just once for Delhi, scoring eight runs against Puducherry.
Badoni's persistence against the likes of Rashid Khan and Lockie Ferguson was noteworthy. He managed to smash both bowlers out of the park, giving a glimpse of his talent. His ability to play all around the ground continues to make headlines. Badoni even earned the title of 'Baby AB' from LSG skipper KL Rahul at the post-match presentation.
"Gautam bhaiya backed me a lot. He told me to play just my natural game. He told me you won't get the one-odd match, but you will get a proper run," Badoni said in the post-match press conference. "He also told me, 'you don't need to play according to the situation. There are senior players to do that. You show us your natural game'."
Badoni became the first batter to bring up a 50-plus score on IPL debut while playing at number six or below. Notably, Badoni comes from New Delhi's Sonnet club, which is also the alma mater of star Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant.
