IPL 2022: 10 players who are turning out to be bargain picks for their teams

5. Ayush Badoni – Lucknow Super Giants (INR 20 lakhs)

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” We have heard this all our lives, but due to his small stature and not so muscular build, not many would have backed Ayush Badoni to deliver punches above his weight. But Badoni had some different plans for this season. After being picked by Lucknow Super Giants for just INR 20 lakhs, Ayush was mostly picked in the squad as a backup rather than a regular in the playing 11.

From being an unsold player the previous two seasons to walking into pressure situations for LSG, Ayush Badoni has shown nerves of steel to win it for his franchise. Accumulating 134 runs in eight innings, more than the total score, Badoni has impressed the cricket pundits with his cool and composed nature when his team is down and out. In a team with stalwarts like Manish Pandey, Evin Lewis, and Marcus Stoinis, Badoni is standing tall, being the fourth-highest run-scorer for the Super Giants.

Badoni is already establishing himself as a worthy candidate to wear the blue jersey for India soon. The Delhi capitals would be pinching themselves as they didn’t bid on Badoni even after calling him for trials where he smashed a quick-fire 20-ball 51. Finally, Gambhir recognized his talent and gave him a chance in playing XI for LSG, and now he is striking at 139.58 against the international bowlers in the IPL.