IPL 2022: Gautam Gambhir backed me, told me to play my natural game, says LSG youngster Ayush Badoni
India Today
Lucknow Super Giants batter Ayush Badoni said that mentor Gautam Gambhir asked him to play his natural game while assuring him of a proper run in IPL 2022.
Lucknow Super Giants youngster Ayush Badoni, who scored fifty on his IPL debut, said that mentor Gautam Gambhir backed him and asked him to play his natural game while assuring him of a proper run this season.
Gambhir backed a 22-year-old Badoni who was purchased by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 20 lakh in the IPL 2022 mega auction. The right-hander had reached his first IPL 50 by pulling a 146.9kmph Lockie Ferguson bouncer for a SIX.
IPL 2022: Full Coverage | Points Table
Deepak Hooda 55 off 41 balls and Ayush Badoni 54 off 41 balls smashed quick-fire half-centuries to help the Super Giants recover to a respectable 1586 after Shami 3/25 blew away their top-order. Needing 68 off the last 30 balls, Titans were up against it but Tewatia 40 not out, David Miller 30 off 21 and IPL debutant Abhinav Manohar 15 not out off 7 pulled off a memorable win for their team with two balls to spare.
"Gautam bhaiya backed me a lot," Badoni said in the post-match press conference. "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. 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'."
"My name had been coming for three consecutive years and I was going unsold every time. I had attended camps of 2-3 teams but I didn’t know if I’d be picked. Lucknow eventually picked me and I am very grateful."
"After I was picked by Lucknow, I had scores of fifty-plus in two trial games. That impressed Gautam bhaiya and the coaches Vijay sir and Andy Flower and hence they were confident of sending me before Krunal Pandya," he further added.
