Delhi youngster Ayush Badoni, who once was overlooked and ignored, finally found his moment of glory when he stunned the audience and the opponents with a maiden fifty in a wonderful debut against Gujarat titans.
The 22-year-old smashed the Gujarat Titans bowlers to score 54 runs in 41 balls on Monday.
Ayush Badoni is one of the last products of the late iconic cricket coach Tarak Sinha. Badoni had already impressed India at under-19 level. He smashed an unbeaten 185 in a youth Test against Sri Lanka in 2018. He also had a good outing at the Asia Cup as he scored 52 off just 28 balls in the final.
The rise of Ayush Badoni despite ignorance
Despite performing well in the under-19 level, he did not find a place in the Delhi team as he was repeatedly ignored. The Delhi selectors as well as the Vijay Hazare Trophy selectors overlooked him completely.
He was not only overlooked by the Delhi selectors, but also in the IPL auctions as well before being handpicked by former India opener Gautam Gambhir this year.
The statement by Ayush Badoni in the post-match conference
He stated that he did not have any idea about his name coming up in the mega auctions. His name has not popped up in the auctions for at least 3 years and he was unsold till this season.
Ayush Badoni added that he was very excited when his name came up, and he said that he is very grateful for the opportunity and the team for picking him up. He confirmed that he will give his best in the IPL 2022.
Badoni has played only five T20s in the previous year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy in Mumbai. He got a chance to bat only once, scoring 8 runs. Ayush Badoni is yet to play a Ranji Trophy.
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The excellence of Ayush Badoni and Gautam Gambhir’s backing
The young prodigy’s excellence in 360 degree shot-making skills were visible when he swept Rashid Khan’s googly for a six, hooked Lockie Ferguson, and fine legged Hardik Pandya.
Ayush Badoni acknowledged Gambhir’s role saying that the former Indian player backed him when no one was there to support. That gave him a lot of confidence and allowed him to play his natural game. He said that he tried to play the ball and not the bowler.
In the match against Gujarat Titans, Ayush Badoni formed a great alliance with senior batter Deepak Hooda, who gave an advice to take his time to settle down.
