Ayush Badoni unbeaten 210 in rain-hit Ranji draw after intensive training routine

Ayush Badoni, 26, scored an unbeaten 210 on Tuesday for Jharkhand against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy in Ranchi and was named Player-of-the-Match after the fixture ended in a rain-marred draw when play was called off on Thursday.

Persistent drizzle prevented any play on the final two days of the contest, leaving both teams to pick up a point each. Delhi had posted 515 for five declared in its first innings and had reduced the host to 131 for four, leaving the visitors well placed before bad weather intervened.

Badoni flashed a shy smile at the close and accepted the Player-of-the-Match prize for what was his fourth double hundred in First Class cricket in a game truncated by rain.

"We were well ahead. It is unfortunate that the rain played spoilsport, and we have not been able to get six points," Badoni told The Hindu after the game.

His recent run-scoring has been substantial: he has racked up double tons in his last two games, boosting his First Class average to 63.84.

Badoni attributes his return to form in part to a response to two disappointing red-ball outings for India-A, against Australia-A and South Africa-A in 2025, which he said prompted a change in approach.

"Having played two to three Ranji seasons, I realised that I needed to alter my preparation," Badoni revealed. "In the build-up to this season, I practised for six hours of batting in a day. We play for six hours everyday in a Ranji game. So I trained like that from morning to evening, with breaks for lunch and tea".

"Last season, the games didn’t go very well for India-A. I wanted to make a statement. The dream is to play for India. So, I am just thinking now to make as many runs as possible and not give away my wicket," he said.