as Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 closer, fans already see the lighter side of team life. A recent video shared by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on social media shows a fun undressing moment between the captain. Rishabh pants and teammate Ayush Badoni. In the short clip, Pant gifts one of his bats to Badoni – along with a humorous warning that has quickly gone viral among cricket fans.
This moment highlights the strong camaraderie within the LSG squad as they prepare for the upcoming season. A couple of weeks before the start of the tournament, a playful exchange between the two cricketers gave fans a refreshing glimpse of the bond shared within the team.
Rishabh Pant’s funny advice to Ayush Badoni
The nearly 30-second video shows Pant handing over his bat to Badoni during practice. While accepting the young batter’s gift, Pant adds a cheeky instruction that immediately gets laughs online.
“Short-handled hai, tujhe pasand hai waisa. Todiyo mat yeh, bahut achha bat hai (It’s a short-handled bat, as you like. Don’t break it, it’s a very good bat)” Pant told Badoni.
“Keep this bat carefully, Ayush bhai.”
Keep this bat safe Ayush bhai 😉❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/7Tz9PCkmaZ
– Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) March 13, 2026
The said exchange quickly gained attention on social media, with fans praising the relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the LSG camp.
Apart from the humor, the moment also reflects the growing bond between Pant and Badoni in the LSG set-up. Pant joined the franchise ahead of the 2025 season in a record-breaking deal worth ₹27 crore, making him one of the highest-profile signings in IPL history. He now leads the team as captain and remains one of its biggest stars.
Meanwhile, Badoni has steadily built up his reputation since his IPL debut in 2022. Retained by LSG for ₹ 4 crore, the middle-order player has gone from a promising youngster to a reliable performer for the franchise.
In 56 IPL matches, Badoni scored 963 runs at an average of 26.75, including six half-centuries, and an impressive strike rate of 138.56. Last season was particularly promising for him as he scored 329 runs in 14 matches and reached around 148.
Badoni’s rising stock in Indian cricket
Badoni’s speeches did not go unnoticed 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. The challenge marked a significant milestone in his career and placed him firmly on the radar of national selectors.
In this context, Pantin’s gesture has a deeper meaning. The LSG captain’s decision to gift his bat can be seen as a small but meaningful show of support for his young teammate who has steadily earned his place in the national team.
LSG will begin their IPL 2026 campaign on April 1 against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The match holds 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, along with emerging Indian talent like Badoni, the Super Giants will hope to mount a serious challenge for the title.
Also READ: Sanjay Bangar picks the ‘finisher’ of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for IPL 2026
