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Ayush Badoni's Dream Call-Up: From IPL Star to Team India Debut

Ayush Badoni has expressed immense gratitude after receiving his maiden call-up to the Indian ODI squad as a replacement for the injured Washington Sundar. The young player revealed he got the news late at night and was thrilled to share it with his proud family in the morning. Badoni highlighted his deliberate shift in focus to bowling over the past two years, which has paid dividends for Delhi in domestic cricket. His all-round List A record and IPL performances for Lucknow Super Giants have now earned him a spot on the national team.

Key Points: Ayush Badoni Reflects on Maiden Team India Call-Up

  • Maiden India call-up
  • Shift to bowling all-rounder
  • Family's proud reaction
  • Domestic and IPL performance
3 min read

"I feel very grateful": Ayush Badoni reflects on maiden Indian team call-up

Young all-rounder Ayush Badoni shares his gratitude and journey after receiving his first Team India call-up for the ODI series against New Zealand.

"That was a great feeling, and I feel very grateful and happy that I got this opportunity. - Ayush Badoni"

Indore, January 18

Indian batter Ayush Badoni reflected on his maiden call-up for the Men in Blue and his rise as an all-rounder. Badoni expressed gratitude for his selection in the ODI squad for the New Zealand series.

Earlier this week, Badoni received his maiden call-up to the Indian cricket team as bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar was ruled out of the ongoing India vs New Zealand ODI series due to an injury.

"That was a great feeling, and I feel very grateful and happy that I got this opportunity. I got a call late at night, so I couldn't tell my family. When it was announced in the morning, they got to know, and they were also very happy and proud," Badoni said in a video posted by BCCI.

"When I came, all the coaches and the players were very welcoming to me. It felt good to play with everyone again," he added.

Badoni also said that he has shifted his focus to bowling over the past two years and is reaping the benefits. He believes he can contribute to the team by taking wickets and has been bowling effectively for his domestic side, Delhi, which helped him earn a spot in the Indian squad.

"I used to bat before, but since the last two years, I've been focusing on my bowling. I always feel that I can take wickets and contribute to the team with my bowling. So I got the benefit of an all-rounder. I bowled a lot for the Delhi team and took wickets, so I got the benefit of it," he concluded.

In 27 List A appearances so far, Badoni has made 693 runs at an average of 36.47, with a strike rate of over 93, with a century and five fifties and best score of 100. He has also taken 18 wickets at an average of 29.72 and an economy rate of 4.54, with best figures of 3/29.

During the South Africa A tour to India last year, Badoni registered a half-century, a knock of 66 in the second unofficial ODI and had spells of 0/15 (four overs) and 0/43 (seven overs) in two matches he played.

Also, in Australia A's tour to India last year, he had taken three wickets in two matches at an average of 16.33 and scored 21 in a solitary inning.

In 56 IPL matches and 46 innings for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as a middle-order batter, he has made 963 runs at an average of 26.75, with a strike rate of 138.56, including six fifties and a best score of 74.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
His story is so inspiring. Getting a call late at night and not being able to tell his family until morning... can't imagine that feeling! His dedication to developing his bowling shows real team spirit.
R
Rohit P
Good to see selectors rewarding domestic performance. His List A stats are solid, and he's young. Hope he gets a chance to play and not just warm the bench.
S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan, I love seeing new talent come through. His shift to focus on bowling is smart – being an all-rounder makes you so much more valuable. Best of luck to him!
V
Vikram M
Respectfully, while I'm happy for Badoni, I hope this is based purely on merit and future potential. His first-class bowling average is nearly 30, which needs to improve at the international level. He must prove himself.
M
Michael C
The depth in Indian cricket is incredible. An injury opens a door for another talented player. Shows the strength of the system.

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