Ayush Badoni determined to value his wicket as he prepares to captain Delhi in Ranji opener
Ayush Badoni, 26, said on Saturday he will captain Delhi in the opening fixture of the new Ranji Trophy season in Kalyani and wants to play with greater caution at the top of the longer format innings. He told The Hindu he intends to be more circumspect with his shot selection and to lead the side both with runs and by example.
Delhi, a seven-time Ranji champion, have not reached the knockouts since 2017-18, and Badoni has been handed the task of stabilising a middle order while guiding a young batting unit. The 26-year-old is expected to shoulder significant responsibility as captain and batter to try to revive Delhi’s fortunes in the First Class competition. The article describes that expectation as well as the broader challenge facing the team at the start of the season.
Badoni’s record in the longer format includes an average of 54 after 38 innings, with four hundreds and 10 half-centuries, figures he cited while outlining a clearer personal approach. “I want to put a price on my wicket. There have been instances when I have played some flamboyant shots to give away my wicket. I want to make the bowlers earn my wicket. If I make a half-century, I don’t want to get carried away. I want to get as many big scores as possible,” he said.
Delhi’s recent Ranji campaigns have been hampered by an inability to consistently take 20 wickets, and the burden of producing breakthroughs will fall on the pace attack led by Navdeep Saini alongside Simarjeet Singh, Money Grewal and Divij Mehra. Badoni acknowledged selection and availability problems in his bowling group and raised concerns about durability. “Injuries have been common. We have not always had our main bowlers available,” the skipper lamented.
On his assessment of the bowling unit’s experience and prospects, Badoni was candid about the balance in the attack while expressing guarded optimism. “Apart from Saini, there isn’t much experience. It does take some time. But the hope is that the bowlers have evolved and will take a lot of wickets this season,” he said.
Badoni framed his captaincy philosophy in terms of embracing pressure and relying on instinct as he adjusts to dual responsibilities. “I like to take challenges. As a batter, I like it when there is pressure. As a captain too, there is pressure. I will try to keep things simple and rely on my instincts to do what is best in that given moment,” he told The Hindu.
Delhi’s immediate test comes in their opener against Bengal in Kalyani; Badoni spoke to The Hindu on Saturday ahead of that fixture.