IPL 2022: Gautam Gambhir told me I will get a long rope – Ayush Badoni

IPL is well known to unearth new talent in the country and Lucknow Super Giants batter Ayush Badoni is the latest sensation to have hogged the limelight. While making his IPL debut for LSG against Gujarat Titans at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, the youngster found his team reeling at 29-4 when he joined forces with Deepak Hooda.

As the situation demanded, Badoni was cautious in his approach as he meandered to 13 runs off the first 22 balls he faced. After Deepak Hooda changed gears, the youngster also opened his arms and took the attack against Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya.

Badoni was able to impress with his timing as he scored 41 runs off the last 19 balls he faced to help his team post a fighting score of 158 runs. The young sensation from Delhi revealed that Lucknow Super Giants mentor Gautam Gambhir told him he will get a long rope after he impressed in the team’s practice sessions.

“I got to play just one season for Delhi. And out of those five matches, I got to bat in just one game and I had gotten out even in that. But after I was picked by Lucknow, we played practice matches and I had scores of fifty-plus in two of those. That impressed Gautam [Gambhir] bhaiya and the coaches – Vijay [Dahiya] sir and Andy Flower – and hence they were confident of sending me before Krunal Pandya,” Badoni revealed at the post-match press conference.

Badoni added 87 runs with Deepak Hooda to get his team out of the woods and then added 40 runs with Krunal Pandya. The 22-year old youngster revealed that Gautam Gambhir has given him a lot of confidence.

“I got to play just one season for Delhi. And out of those five matches, I got to bat in just one game and I had gotten out even in that. But after I was picked by Lucknow, we played practice matches and I had scores of fifty-plus in two of those. That impressed Gautam [Gambhir] bhaiya and the coaches – Vijay [Dahiya] sir and Andy Flower – and hence they were confident of sending me before Krunal Pandya,” Badoni revealed at the post-match press conference.

Badoni revealed that he had been giving trails for IPL selection for the last three years. The youngster was picked by LSG for his base price of INR 20 lakhs in the IPL 2022 mega auction..

“My name had been coming for three consecutive years and I was going unsold every time. This time, as my name was coming, my heart rate was going on increasing. But I had no idea If I’d be picked. I had attended trials of 2-3 teams, but that was happening for three years. So I had no idea about my selection. Lucknow eventually picked me and I am very grateful. I have to perform now. I’ll make my team win. I’ll try my best,” he said.

LSG will next take on Chennai Super Kings at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday.