As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 approaches, fans are already getting glimpses of the lighter side of team life. A recent video shared by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on social media captured a fun dressing-room moment between captain Rishabh Pant and teammate Ayush Badoni. In the short clip, Pant gifts one of his bats to Badoni – along with a humorous warning that quickly went viral among cricket fans.
The moment highlights the strong camaraderie within the LSG squad as they gear up for the upcoming season. With just weeks left before the tournament begins, the playful exchange between the two cricketers has given supporters a refreshing look at the bond shared inside the team.
Rishabh Pant’s funny advice to Ayush Badoni
The video, which runs for about 30 seconds, shows Pant handing over a bat to Badoni during a practice session. As the young batter accepts the gift, Pant adds a cheeky instruction that immediately drew laughs online.
“Short-handle hai, tujhe pasand hai waisa. Todiyo mat yeh, bahut achha bat hai [It’s a short-handle bat, just the way you like it. Don’t break it, it’s a very good bat],” Pant told Badoni.
“Yeh bat sambhal ke rakhna, Ayush bhai.”
Yeh bat sambhal ke rakhna, Ayush bhai 😉❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/7Tz9PCkmaZ
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) March 13, 2026
The lighthearted exchange quickly gained attention on social media, with fans praising the relaxed and friendly atmosphere within the LSG camp.
Beyond the humour, the moment also reflects the growing bond between Pant and Badoni within the LSG setup. Pant joined the franchise ahead of the 2025 season in a record-breaking deal worth ₹27 crore, making him one of the most high-profile signings in IPL history. He now leads the team as captain and remains one of its biggest stars.
Badoni, meanwhile, has steadily built his reputation since making his IPL debut in 2022. Retained by LSG for ₹4 crore, the middle-order batter has evolved from a promising youngster into a dependable performer for the franchise.
Over the course of 56 IPL matches, Badoni has scored 963 runs at an average of 26.75 and an impressive strike rate of 138.56, including six half-centuries. Last season proved particularly encouraging for him, as he accumulated 329 runs in 14 matches, striking at nearly 148.
Badoni’s rising stock in Indian cricket
Badoni’s performances have not gone unnoticed at the national level either. Earlier this year, Badoni received his first ODI call-up for India as a replacement for Washington Sundar during a series against the New Zealand national cricket team. The call-up marked a significant milestone in his career and placed him firmly on the radar of the national selectors.
In that context, Pant’s gesture carries deeper significance. The LSG captain’s decision to gift his bat can be seen as a small but meaningful show of support for a younger teammate who has been steadily earning his place in the national squad.
LSG will begin their IPL 2026 campaign on April 1 against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The match carries extra significance for Pant, as he will be facing his former team.
With a squad that includes international stars like Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, Mitchell Marsh and Mohammed Shami alongside emerging Indian talents like Badoni, the Super Giants will be hoping to mount a serious challenge for the title.
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