Cricket

Newly appointed Delhi captain Ayush Badoni showcased his exceptional talent with a scintillating century, guiding Delhi towards a potential first-innings lead against Jharkhand in their Ranji Trophy Group D encounter.Badoni, known for his exploits with Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, displayed his hunger for runs with an unbeaten 116 off 144 deliveries. His knock propelled Delhi to 238 for 5 at stumps on Day 3, in response to Jharkhand's formidable first-innings total of 382.Badoni's innings was a masterclass in strokeplay, featuring 11 boundaries and four sixes. He fearlessly attacked the Jharkhand bowlers, hitting two sixes off former Mumbai Indians spinner Anukul Roy. His partnership with Sumit Mathur (19*) for the unbroken sixth wicket has added 80 runs, but Delhi still require 148 runs on the final day to secure three points and maintain their quarter-final hopes.The contrast between Badoni's quality and that of some of his teammates was evident. While Badoni played with confidence and aggression, others struggled to make significant contributions. Anuj Rawat (52) was the only other top-order batsman to make a notable impact.Delhi's designated skipper Himmat Singh, who was replaced by Badoni after a defeat against Chandigarh, continued his poor form with a duck. He is likely to be replaced by Jonty Sidhu in the next match.The most significant partnership for Delhi was the 60-run stand between Mayank Gusain (24) and Badoni for the fifth wicket. Badoni's ability to counterattack and take the aerial route set him apart from his colleagues.On the final day, Badoni will aim for a double century, but he will need support from Mathur and lower-order batter Siddhant Sharma, both of whom have shown their batting prowess earlier this season.

Delhi's Ranji Trophy campaign has hit a roadblock, with the team languishing in fourth place in Group D after a dismal nine-wicket defeat to Chandigarh. In an attempt to turn their fortunes around, the team has sacked Himmat Singh as captain and elevated Ayush Badoni to the leadership role.Badoni's first challenge will be to address the team's batting woes. In the loss to Chandigarh, only Yash Dhull showed any resistance, while Badoni himself fell to a rash shot after a promising start. The middle order, led by Himmat, has also been underwhelming, with the 28-year-old averaging just 30.33 in four innings.The spin department has also been a concern. Off-spinner Hrithik Shokeen and left-arm spinner Shivank Vashisth were ineffective on a helpful surface, lacking accuracy and consistency. Both have been dropped for the upcoming match against Jharkhand.Jharkhand, meanwhile, is two spots below Delhi in sixth place with just seven points. Stand-in skipper Virat Singh will be looking to lead his team to victory and improve their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages. Singh is the team's leading run-getter this season with 254 runs at an average of 42.33.The match between Delhi and Jharkhand will be a crucial test for both teams. Delhi needs a win to revive their campaign, while Jharkhand will be eager to close the gap on the top four. The match will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi from Wednesday.

Delhi's Ranji Trophy campaign has hit a roadblock, prompting a leadership change. Himmat Singh, who captained the team in the first four rounds, has been replaced by Ayush Badoni. The decision comes after a crushing defeat to Chandigarh, which exposed Delhi's batting frailties.Badoni, who scored 49 and 1 in the two innings against Chandigarh, will lead the team in their next match against Jharkhand. The 23-year-old has been in impressive form this season, scoring two centuries and a fifty in four matches.Yash Dhull, who was the Delhi skipper during the 2022-23 Ranji season, has been named as the vice-captain. Dhull, who is also a talented batsman, has scored two centuries and a fifty this season.The changes in the Delhi squad reflect the team's struggles in the Ranji Trophy. Delhi is currently fourth in Group D, with just one win from four matches. The team's batting has been particularly disappointing, with only Dhull and Badoni showing any consistency.The selectors have made several changes to the squad in an attempt to address the team's weaknesses. Hrithik Shokeen, Shivank Vashisth, and Kshitiz Sharma have been dropped, while Simarjeet Singh, Mayank Gusain, and Shivam Sharma have been included.Simarjeet, a pacer, returns to the squad after missing the last three matches with injury. Gusain is a batting all-rounder who has been doing well in the U-23 set-up. Shivam is a left-arm spinner who has been in good form for Delhi's second XI.Delhi will be hoping that the changes in the squad will help them turn their season around. The team has a tough task ahead of them, but they will be confident of making a strong comeback under the leadership of Badoni.

India A Dominates Emerging Teams Asia Cup, Secures Semifinal BerthIndia A has emerged as a formidable force in the ongoing T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, securing an all-win record in their Group B league engagements. The team's impressive run began with a thrilling 7-run victory over Pakistan A, followed by a dominant 7-wicket triumph against UAE. In their final group match, India A showcased their batting prowess with a comprehensive 6-wicket victory over Oman.In the crucial semifinal clash against Afghanistan, India A continued their winning streak. Lucknow Super Giants youngster Ayush Badoni played a pivotal role, smashing a blistering 51 off just 27 balls. His explosive innings propelled India A to a comfortable 141-run target in a mere 15.2 overs.India A's success in the tournament is a testament to their depth and versatility. The team has displayed a balanced performance, with both their batting and bowling units contributing to their victories. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and strategies has been a key factor in their dominance.Meanwhile, in the first semifinal, Sri Lanka emerged victorious over Pakistan, securing a seven-wicket victory. The Sri Lankan team will now face India A in the highly anticipated final of the Emerging Asia Cup.

Ayush Badoni's Brilliance Powers India A to ACC Emerging Asia Cup Semi-FinalsMUSCAT, Oman - India A cruised to a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Oman in the ACC Emerging Asia Cup on Wednesday, setting up a semi-final clash with Afghanistan A. The triumph was orchestrated by the scintillating batting display of Ayush Badoni, who showcased his exceptional stroke-making ability.Badoni, a rising star from Lucknow Super Giants, hammered 51 runs off just 27 deliveries, including six boundaries and two towering sixes. His innings was a masterclass in timing and power, with the Delhi right-hander effortlessly dispatching the Omani bowlers to all corners of the ground.India A chased down the target of 141 with ease, reaching the milestone in just 15.2 overs. Abhishek Sharma provided a blistering start with a quickfire 34 off 15 balls, while skipper Tilak Varma anchored the innings with an unbeaten 36 off 30 deliveries.Oman's bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batting onslaught, with only Mohammed Nadeem offering any resistance with a knock of 41. India A's bowlers, led by left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore and leg-spinner Rahul Chahar, kept the Omani batsmen in check, conceding just 41 runs in their combined eight overs.The victory marked India A's third consecutive win in the group stage, securing their place at the top of the standings. They will now face Afghanistan A in the semi-finals, while Oman will take on Bangladesh A in the other semi-final.Badoni's performance was a testament to his growing reputation as a promising young talent. His ability to play a wide range of shots and his fearless approach make him a valuable asset to the Indian team.

The Delhi Premier League T20 (DPLT20) witnessed an extraordinary display of batting prowess as South Delhi Superstarz amassed a staggering 308/5 in 20 overs against North Delhi Strikers. This remarkable total shattered records and left spectators in awe.The carnage was orchestrated by Ayush Badoni and Priyansh Arya, who unleashed an unprecedented onslaught on the opposition bowlers. Badoni, the South Delhi skipper, smashed an unbeaten 165 off just 55 deliveries, including eight fours and ten towering sixes. His strike rate of 300 left the bowlers helpless.Not to be outdone, Arya joined an elite club of batsmen to have hit six sixes in an over in domestic T20 cricket. He plundered 120 runs off 50 balls, adorned with ten fours and an equal number of sixes, at a blistering strike rate of 240.The duo's partnership of 286 runs from 103 balls stands as the highest partnership for any wicket in T20 cricket history. Their combined efforts propelled South Delhi Superstarz to a mammoth total, making it only the second time a team has crossed the 300-run mark in a T20 match.The match also witnessed a rare feat as Arya became the first batsman to score two centuries in the ongoing DPLT20 tournament. His second century came in the 15th over, adding to his earlier ton in the competition.The South Delhi Superstarz's record-breaking performance has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. It remains to be seen whether their total will be officially ratified as the highest in T20 cricket, but it has undoubtedly etched their names in the annals of the sport.

Ayush Badoni, the young Lucknow Super Giants batter, has expressed gratitude towards skipper KL Rahul and coach Justin Langer for their unwavering support during his initial struggles in the ongoing IPL season. Badoni's impressive performance against the Delhi Capitals, despite the team's loss, was a testament to the faith placed in him.Badoni's unbeaten 55 off 35 balls played a crucial role in resurrecting LSG's innings, helping them post a competitive 167 for 7. However, the Delhi Capitals chased down the target with ease in 18.1 overs."The start of the season was not good, but I was doing well at the nets," Badoni said. "I am thankful to KL Rahul and Justin Langer for backing me and giving me a chance."Badoni's strategy was to take the game deep and then attack, aiming to score over 150 runs. He acknowledged that the team fell short by about 20 runs.The 24-year-old batter emphasized the positive impact of his strong bond with Rahul and Langer. "I spoke a lot to KL Rahul, and he backs me every time," Badoni said. "I also share a good bonding with Justin. I went to Australia last year, and there also, he made me learn a few things and improved my game."Badoni credited Delhi Capitals spinner Kuldeep Yadav for his match-winning performance. "Kuldeep was bowling well. He broke our momentum," he said.Meanwhile, DC assistant coach Pravin Amre praised Jake Fraser-McGurk's debut IPL knock, which helped the team chase down the target effortlessly. "It was a tremendous innings by Jack because he was batting very well at the nets," Amre said. "We have got that he has that X-factor, the ability to strike the sixes."Amre also acknowledged Prithvi Shaw's contribution in providing a solid start. "As an opener, he has got a role to play, winning the powerplay is also critical," Amre said.The assistant coach lauded the performance of spinners Kuldeep and Axar Patel, who dominated the crucial middle overs. "We are forgetting Kuldeep's contribution. He bowled a dream ball to dismiss Nicholas Pooran," Amre said. "Axar also bowled well in the middle overs, giving away just 25 runs off his 4 overs."

Lucknow Super Giants' Badoni and Khan Script IPL History with Record-Breaking PartnershipIn a thrilling encounter at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, Lucknow Super Giants' Ayush Badoni and Arshad Khan etched their names in the Indian Premier League (IPL) record books by forging the highest 8th-wicket partnership in the tournament's history.The duo entered the crease with LSG reeling at 94/7 against Delhi Capitals. However, they displayed remarkable resilience and determination, stitching together an unbeaten 73-run partnership that propelled their team to a competitive total.Badoni, playing in only his second IPL match, played a pivotal role in the partnership. He scored his maiden IPL fifty in just 31 balls, showcasing a blend of caution against spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel before unleashing his attacking strokes against the pacers.Arshad, on the other hand, provided valuable support to Badoni, contributing with crucial runs and showcasing his batting prowess. His innings was particularly impressive considering he was playing in his first IPL match.Their heroic effort with the bat ensured that LSG posted a challenging total of 167/7 in their allotted 20 overs, providing their bowlers with a competitive target to defend.The 73-run partnership between Badoni and Khan not only stands as the highest 8th-wicket stand in IPL history but also ranks as the second-highest partnership for the 8th wicket or below in the tournament's history. The record for the highest partnership in this category belongs to Gujarat Titans' Rashid Khan and Alzarri Joseph, who put on an 88-run stand against Mumbai Indians in the previous edition of the tournament.Following closely behind, the duo of Brad Hodge and James Faulkner holds the third spot with a 69-run partnership for Rajasthan Royals in 2014 against Mumbai Indians in Ahmedabad.The record-breaking partnership between Badoni and Khan is a testament to their talent and determination. It also highlights the importance of lower-order batsmen in T20 cricket, as they can often make significant contributions to their team's success.