The 26-year-old will be expected to not just score a heap of runs in the middle order and guide Delhi’s young batting unit, but also hit the right notes as captain and resurrect his team’s fortunes in the First-Class competition. The seven-time Ranji champion hasn’t entered the knockouts since 2017-18. On the eve of a new Ranji Trophy season, Delhi’s Ayush Badoni faces a daunting test.
It isn’t in Badoni’s nature to shy away from a challenge. “I like to take challenges. As a batter, I like it when there is pressure. As a captain too, there is pressure. “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 will try to keep things simple and rely on my instincts to do what is best in that given moment,” he told The Hindu on Saturday (October 10, 2026) ahead of Delhi’s opening fixture against Bengal in Kalyani.
I want to get as many big scores as possible,” he said.