There are teams in the current edition of the Indian Premier League who haven’t quite punched above their weight and their performances demand far better output on the field as opposed to what is evident on the present day. And in that regard, one among the teams that has clearly struggled for form and momentum is - undoubtedly speaking- the Lucknow SuperGiants. Wouldn’t you agree? And frankly speaking, while it’s one thing to be horribly out of form form and lack any kind of momentum that is needed to change the trajectory of the entire team, it’s something quite different and something to really take stock of the situation when one is a bottom dweller- which is what the Lucknow side is at the moment in 2026. Rather interestingly, while two of the teams that had been really grappling with poor form particularly at the start of the tournament, including the Chennai Superkings and Kolkata Knight Riders have actually reversed their fortunes and returned back to winning ways, the LSG unit are really down and out. Their qualification hopes of making it to the Playoffs all but over! And former Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth has come down heavily on one particular cricketer from the Lucknow franchise that ought to have done better but really hasn’t.

Former cricketer Srikkanth, who is known to speak his mind, has come down heavily on Ayush Badoni, who bats in the middle order for the LSG camp but his form his evidently absent this time around. He’s yet to produce a top notch inning and where it gets a little concerning is that the right hander who is ko more than 26 years of age had been dropped in Lucknow’s most recent contest that was held against the Mumbai Indians.

Having said that, what did Srikkanth say on the subject of Badoni?

"Ayush Badoni can't even hit over the inner circle. Having only two shots, he has been playing five years for you. If you ask them, they'll point to his average and other numbers, which is the biggest mistake made by everyone. For such a pathetic showing, they have so many renowned names in their coaching staff."

Now, having read that statement, as a fan you are left to wonder whether what Mr Srikkanth has said is in fact true in Badoni’s case or was that a touch harsh as an assessment passed on a young and developing career. Is Badoni really a cricketer who has a very limited shots in his arsenal and if so, is he working all that hard to perhaps add more skills or touch ups to his game?

That being told, Mr Srikkanth also asserted the fact that Lucknow do look out of sorts and that whatever scope they have at progress is quite limited!

He would come down harshly at the LSG stating

"This team has no scope *for progress. Their captain and the entire team is clueless. They have a good bowling lineup but everything else is hopeless. They made Ayush Badoni open. They brought an out of form Rinku Singh back in form from 88/6. That's how poor their team and Pant's captaincy has been.”