Ayush Badoni
Ayush Badoni. Image: BCCI

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) batter Ayush Badoni said that Gautam Gambhir backed him for a long run in the IPL 2022.

Badoni played a valiant knock for IPL debutants LSG on Monday to help the KL Rahul-led side post a respectable score against Gujarat Titans in their first match of IPL 2022.

GT vs LSG: Ayush Badoni, Deepak Hooda bails out LSG after early batting collapse

Badoni scored 54 in 41 balls against a formidable bowling attack of Gujarat Titans led by Mohammed Shami. Shami’s fiery spell in the early overs reduced LSG to 29/4 inside five overs, that is when Badoni joined forces with all-rounder Deepak Hooda and together the duo resurrected their team’s innings as they stitched 87 runs for the fifth wicket.

Ayush Badoni. Photo-IPL
Ayush Badoni. Photo-IPL

Badoni played the role of a second-fiddle during his alliance with Hooda but switched his gears in the slog overs, he smashed the likes of Shami and Lockie Ferguson. The 22-year-old pummelled four boundaries and three sixes in his 41-ball 54 at a strike rate of 131.71.

GT vs LSG: Gautam Gambhir asked me to play my natural game: Ayush Badoni

Badoni came into the IPL with the slightest experience of five T20 matches at the domestic level. Badoni was part of the India U19 team’s title triumph Asia Cup in 2018 but couldn’t make his way to the U19 World Cup in New Zealand. The youngster thanked LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir for showing faith in him and assuring him ample opportunities this season.

Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir. Image: BCCI

“I did not get too many chances for Delhi. Gautam bhaiya backed me a lot. He asked me to play my natural game. He assured me that I will not just get one-odd game but will have sufficient opportunities to prove myself. His advice helped me place my natural game,” Badoni was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. 

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LSG lost the match by five wickets as Titans all-rounder Rahul Tewatia blazed 40 runs off 24 balls in the slog overs to cruise his side to victory in their first game of the tournament.

Also Read: GT vs LSG: Twitter Hails Ayush Badoni As The Youngster Hits 54 On IPL Debut Under Pressure