BIPIN DANI
The TV commentator Harsha Bhogle had asked a valid question ("where have you been hiding?") to Lucknow Super Giants' IPL member Ayush Badoni on Monday.
The question is bothering many of this 22-year-old debut player's acquaintances, especially when he scored 54 runs in 41 balls, which included 3 sixes and four fours against world class players in his very first match.
"Ayush has scored in every format of the game right from the beginning. He was waiting for his chance to debut", his childhood coach Hirtesh Sharma says.
"He came to me when he was 10. “A very cool headed, soft spoken and hard working boys".
"His confidence is very high all the time. Hitting sixes against world's best leg-spinner Rashid Khan was not easy", his school coach Navewen Chopra adds.
“If India wants to win a world cup, you should have at least one Modernite in it”, his school. Principal Dr. Vijay Datta says.
"It was proven right by Kirti Azad in 1983, Gautam Gambhir in 2014, Unmukt Chand in 2012 (U-19 World Cup) and it gives us hope that with Ayush Badoni proving to be the next rising star in the Cricket horizon, his hopeful presence in the next world cup may bring luck for India".
"Modern School, with its legacy of nurturing and fostering exceptional talents in all spheres, especially sports; the mettle proven by Badoni is another feather in its cap. Ayush, who passed out of school in 2018 was a natural player and is fondly remembered as a soft spoken and highly respectful student with a smiling demeanor and sharp focus towards his goals".
"A man who lets his bat do the talking, his optimism and commitment saw him braving many odds to emerge as a promising player for India. He always walked in the path of righteousness, did what he deemed right and remained unaltered in his goals, ignoring all jibes and rejections. The 22-year-old, who slammed a 41-ball 54 against Gujarat Titans, playing on behalf of Lucknow Supergiants, is a proud reminder that hard work always pays off", the principal continued.
Ayush's father Vivek is a documentary filmmaker and mother is a school teacher. His only brother is a football player. His Lucknow team captain KL Rahul has nicknamed him 'Baby De Villiers' for the similarity of his initials with the South African batting legend AB de Villiers.
