Home
Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) overseas recruit Aiden Markram has confirmed that Ayush Badoni opening the innings with Mitchell Marsh against Punjab Kings (PBKS) wasn’t a one-off incident. Ahead of the clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR), Markram revealed that Badoni will continue to open as it provides the LSG’s underfire batting order more freedom to take on the bowlers. The South Africa T20I skipper has been given the role to control the innings in the middle.
“Seems like it. I thought he (Badoni) actually played really nicely the other night against PBKS, him and Mitch got us off to pretty good start in the powerplay. I think it's really just to free him up, he's a huge talent; the world has seen that over the last couple of years. It allows a guy like myself to be in the middle order and just control things and let the rest of the team take the game on and play with freedom. I think we should see the same tomorrow,” Markram said as quoted by Cricbuzz on the eve of RR clash.
As opener, Badoni scored 35 runs from 21 balls, featuring five fours and a six. He shared a 61-run partnership with Marsh in the powerplay overs. On the other hand, Markram batted at no.5 and contributed with a 22-ball 42 laced with three fours and as many sixes.
ALSO READ: Big blow to LSG, bowling coach confirms star overseas player left camp midway due to injury
LSG batters nowhere in orange cap race
Currently, none of the LSG batters are among top 20 run-scorers in the season. Markram is their highest run-scorer with 162 runs from six innings, closely followed by Marsh (155 runs), Mukul Choudhary (148 runs), Badoni (148 runs), and skipper Rishabh Pant (147 runs). However, LSG have been hugely let down by their Rs 21 crore player Nicholas Pooran. The former West Indies wicketkeeper-batter has scored just 51 runs from six games.
Inglis to bolster LSG batting
In the next couple of weeks, LSG’s batting is set to receive a major boost in the form of Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis. In the previous season, Inglis represented Punjab Kings (PBKS) and amassed 278 runs at an average of 30.88 and strike rate of 162.57. He will be available for selection starting with May 4 clash against Mumbai Indians (MI).
ADVERTISEMENT
