In form of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 As the season approaches, fans are already getting a glimpse of the lighter side of team life. A recent video shared by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on social media captures a funny dressing room moment between the captain Rishabh Pant and teammates Ayush Badoni. In the short clip, Pant gifted 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 team as they prepare for the upcoming season. With just a few weeks left for the tournament to begin, the playful exchange between the two cricketers has given supporters a refreshing look at the bond they share inside the team.
Rishabh Pant’s funny advice to Ayush Badoni
The approximately 30-second video shows Pant handing over the bat to Badoni during a practice session. As the young batsman accepts the gift, Pant gives a cheeky instruction which instantly sparked laughter online.
“It’s short-handled, you like it that way. Don’t break it, it’s very nice.” [It’s a short-handle bat, just the way you like it. Don’t break it, it’s a very good bat]” Pant said to Badoni.
“Keep this thing carefully, Ayush Bhai.”
Keep this thing in mind, Ayush Bhai 😉❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/7Tz9PCkmaZ
– Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) 13 March 2026
The light-hearted 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 shows the growing bond between Pant and Badoni within the LSG setup. Pant joined the franchise ahead of the 2025 season with 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.
Meanwhile, Badoni has steadily built his reputation since making his IPL debut in 2022. Retained by LSG for ₹4 crore, the middle-order batsman has evolved from a promising youngster to 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 to be particularly encouraging for him, as he scored 329 runs in 14 matches at an average of almost 148.
Badoni’s increasing dominance in Indian cricket
Badoni’s performance did not go unnoticed even at the national level. 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. This call-up marked an important milestone in his career and placed him firmly on the radar of the national selectors.
In that context, Pant’s gesture holds deep significance. The LSG captain’s decision to gift his bat can be seen as a small but meaningful show of support for a young teammate who is steadily working his way into the national team.
LSG will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 1 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. This match holds extra importance 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 as well as emerging Indian talent like Badoni, the Super Giants will be hoping to mount a serious challenge for the title.
Also read: Sanjay Bangar chosen ‘finisher’ of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for IPL 2026
