Exclusive - IPL 2022: Gautam Gambhir hugged me and said 'well played', thankful to him and KL Rahul for backing me, says new IPL sensation Ayush Badoni

Ayush Badoni was batting in the nets and played a superb innovative sweep shot, reminiscent of South Africa legend AB de Villiers. Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul was watching Badoni from a distance. After Badoni played the shot to send the ball over the ropes, KL walked up to him and applauded him, and asked him which cricketer he admires the most. The 22-year-old Badoni said - AB de Villiers. The next day, when the Lucknow Super Giants, who lost their first ever IPL match against the Gujarat Titans, faced defending champions Chennai Super Kings and found themselves in a tough spot, Badoni played a calm and composed cameo to take his team home. Badoni was batting on 5 off 4 balls when he moved across the line and scooped Shivam Dube for a six over deep backward leg. Captain KL had a huge smile on his face watching this young lad from the dugout. Badoni had played out a replay of the shot he played during the net session earlier.

Badoni (19 off 9 balls) played his role to perfection in the company of Evin Lewis who scored a majestic 55 off 23 balls to power LSG to a six-wicket win to give Lucknow their maiden IPL match win. When Badoni hit the final six of the match to tie the scores, the Lucknow franchise mentor Gautam Gambhir was seen jumping up and celebrating in the dugout in scenes that went viral on social media.

Read AlsoIPL 2022: Gautam Gambhir's reaction goes viral as Lucknow Super Giants register maiden win

Lucknow's mentor, former India cricketer, Gautam Gambhir was silent and not showing any emotions as such through Lucknow's epic run chase against the defending champions. But when his team tied the scores and it was clear they were going to win, Gambhir was all pumped up and euphoric.

The 22-year-old