Ayush Badoni: The Baby AB From The Lucknow Super Gaints

At just 22 years old, Ayush Badoni was relatively unknown in cricket until recently. For those interested in Ayush Badoni stats, it's worth noting that he had only played five T20 matches for Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy until last year. Of those games, Ayush Badoni got to bat just once, which happened in January 2021.

Despite being packed with potential, he was sidelined from top-tier cricket for quite some time. The uncertainty was so high that he was unsure about getting picked for this year's Indian Premier League (IPL).

The Backstory: Ayush Badoni Age and Early Achievements

Ayush Badoni, at the age of 22, has already shown glimpses of his talent. He was a student at Tarak Sinha's Sonnet Club in Delhi and represented the India U-19 team in 2018. His shining moment came when he scored an unbeaten 52 in the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka. Despite this feat and his evident skills in age-group cricket, he hadn't been given much chance in senior-level cricket.

Ayush Badoni didn't give up. He attended multiple selection trials and eventually found a home with the Lucknow SuperGiants for a fee of Rs 20 lakh. Since joining the Lucknow camp, he has made quite an impression. Team captain K.L. Rahul even affectionately refers to him as 'Baby AB.' While it's too early to draw parallels with cricket legend AB de Villiers, those familiar with Ayush Badoni's career agree that he has the potential to make it big.

The IPL Debut: A New Chapter in Badoni's Career

During Ayush Badoni IPL debut at the Wankhede Stadium, he proved why he deserves a spot in the limelight. He scored a quick 41-ball-54 against the Gujarat Titans, stepping up when his team needed him the most. The team struggled at 29-4, but Badoni, promoted ahead of Krunal Pandya, turned the game around. He built an 87-run partnership with Deepak Hooda, guiding his team to a respectable total.

After the match, Badoni highlighted the role played by Lucknow's mentor, Gautam Gambhir. "Gautam bhaiya backed me a lot. He told me to play my natural game and assured me that I would get a proper run," Badoni revealed. He had previously caught Gambhir's attention by scoring half-centuries in practice games, which convinced the coaches to let him bat ahead of Krunal Pandya.

Ayush Badoni admitted that the last three years were challenging. "I've been in the auction for three years and went unsold. I've been to trials for multiple teams, but no one picked me," he said. However, with this new opportunity that the IPL has provided, Badoni wants to make the most of it.

The incredible journey of Ayush Badoni from a young hopeful to an emerging star in the IPL. Given his age and talent, the sky's the limit for this young cricketer. Keep an eye on this space for more updates on Ayush Badoni stats and career milestones.

FAQs 
How old is Ayush Badoni?
Ayush Badoni age is 22.
How did Ayush Badoni get into the IPL?
He attended several selection trials and was finally picked by the Lucknow SuperGiants for Rs 20 lakh.
What was Ayush Badoni's standout performance in youth cricket?
He scored an unbeaten 52 runs in the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka while playing for the India U-19 team.