Cricket, India’s most beloved sport, is a dream for thousands of aspiring players. But breaking into the IPL, the biggest platform for cricketing talent, is no easy feat. Every year, thousands compete for a chance, but only a few make it. One such player who faced immense challenges before earning his place is Ayush Badoni, who has finally lived up to the trust placed in him by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjeev Goenka.

A Long Road to the IPL

At just 22, Ayush Badoni spent three years knocking on the doors of various franchises, giving numerous trials, but failed to land a spot. However, in 2022, when Lucknow Super Giants joined the IPL, Goenka took a chance on him and included Badoni in his squad for Rs 20 lakh. Since then, Badoni’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Despite not getting selected by other teams, Goenka’s faith in Badoni has never wavered, and he was retained at the same price for the next two seasons.

In a big step forward, Badoni was given a significant Rs 4 crore contract for IPL 2025, and he has been making the most of the opportunity.

Becoming LSG’s Troubleshooter in IPL 2025

Badoni has emerged as one of the most reliable players for Lucknow this season. Batting in the middle order, he has been instrumental in rescuing the team from difficult situations after early wickets fell. His performance in the match against Punjab Kings on May 4 was particularly impressive. Despite fighting alone and scoring a valuable 74 runs off 40 balls, he couldn’t secure a win for his team, but his efforts did not go unnoticed.

This season, Badoni has amassed 326 runs in 10 innings, with an impressive average of 36 and a strike rate of 150. He has scored two half-centuries and contributed more than 20 runs in 8 out of 10 innings. His consistency has made him the most dependable batsman for LSG this season.

An Impressive Improvement Over the Years

Ayush Badoni’s journey with LSG didn’t start on a high note. Despite struggling in his first season, where he could only score 161 runs at a modest average of 20 and a strike rate of 123, Goenka continued to show faith in him. In 2023, his performance improved, as he scored 238 runs at an average of 24 and a strike rate of 138. By 2024, his consistency continued to improve, as he raised his average to 29 and contributed 235 runs with a strike rate of 137.

This season, Badoni’s game has reached new heights. His average has increased to 36, and his strike rate has jumped to 150. With 326 runs so far, he has proven that persistence and hard work can indeed pay off.