Ayush Badoni Appointed Delhi Ranji Team Captain

Devprayag’s Ayush Badoni Named Delhi Ranji Trophy Captain

Ayush Badoni, whose family roots trace to Devprayag in Tehri Garhwal, has been named captain of the Delhi Ranji Trophy squad for the 2025-26 season, a side that includes Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. For Uttarakhand, it’s a proud moment: a cricketer connected to the state now leads one of Indian domestic cricket’s most storied teams into a new campaign.

Who is Ayush Badoni

Born on 3 December 1999, Badoni is a right-handed batting all-rounder who also bowls right-arm off-break. He has represented Delhi in domestic cricket since 2020-21 and plays IPL cricket for Lucknow Super Giants, where he made an immediate impact after being signed in 2022. His IPL debut half-century turned him into a fan favourite almost overnight, and he has since been a dependable presence in Lucknow’s middle order, known for staying composed when games get tight.

While Badoni built his cricketing career in Delhi, his family has stayed connected to Devprayag, the sacred confluence town where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet to form the Ganga. Locally, he’s known by his family name, Ayush Barauni. That dual identity, a Delhi cricketer with Tehri Garhwal roots, is part of why this captaincy appointment has resonated so strongly back home in the hills.

The road to captaincy

• January 2021: T20 debut for Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
• February 2022: Signed by Lucknow Super Giants; scored 54 on IPL debut
• 2022-2025: Established himself as a middle-order regular for Delhi across formats, building a reputation for consistency under pressure
• 2025-26 season: Appointed Delhi Ranji Trophy captain by the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA)

His first-class numbers back the selection: 860 runs across 12 Ranji Trophy matches at an average of 53.75, plus 11 wickets with his off-break bowling. That’s a genuine all-round record built over several seasons, not a reputational pick made on the strength of his IPL profile alone.

Leading a squad with two India internationals

Captaining a Ranji side that includes Kohli and Pant is a unique situation. Both players are returning to red-ball domestic cricket, and how Delhi manages their workload and form will shape much of the season. Pant has stepped back from captaincy duties this year, handing the leadership responsibility to Badoni, a signal of the trust the DDCA management has placed in him despite the senior names in the dressing room. Delhi’s campaign opens against Saurashtra, with a fixture against Railways to follow, and final playing XI decisions, including Kohli’s fitness and availability, will be confirmed closer to each match.

For Badoni, the job isn’t just about his own batting and bowling. It’s about setting the tone for a squad with very different levels of experience, from uncapped young players to two of India’s most recognisable cricketers, and making tactical calls that senior teammates are willing to follow.

What it means for Uttarakhand cricket

Devprayag and the wider Tehri Garhwal region have historically produced few marquee cricketers compared to the plains. Badoni’s rise, and now his captaincy of a squad featuring Kohli and Pant, is being seen locally as evidence that talent from the hills can reach the top of Indian domestic cricket. It’s the kind of story that could encourage more investment in grassroots cricket infrastructure across Uttarakhand, from better pitches and coaching access in hill towns to more visibility for young players who don’t have easy access to the bigger academies in Delhi or Dehradun.

For a foundation built around uniting Uttarakhandi youth through sport, stories like Badoni’s are exactly why we cover them. Not just as cricket news, but as evidence of what’s possible for the next generation from the hills, and a reminder of why we keep pushing for better sporting opportunities closer to home.

For more about his journey and career, read the Ayush Badoni cricketer profile.