New Delhi: India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said Ayush Badoni’s selection as a replacement for injured Washington Sundar was down to his ability to bowl 4-5 overs and his recent experience for India A. The Indian selectors and team management picked Delhi batting all-rounder Badoni as a replacement after Sundar was ruled out of the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand due to a strain.
Sundar picked up the injury while fielding in the 1st ODI against New Zealand on Sunday and was ruled out of the remaining two matches in the three-match series. Badoni’s selection as his replacement came as a surprise to many, as not many felt the Delhi all-rounder was close to receiving his maiden India call-up.
The 26-year-old selection further raised eyebrows as he is viewed as a specialist batter and not an all-rounder based on his performances for his franchise, Lucknow Super Giants, in the IPL. His selection also invited criticism for head coach Gautam Gambhir from a section of Indian fans.
However, Kotak defended the selectors’ call and said Badoni has done well for India A and in the domestic circuit in recent times. He also explained that India needed someone who could have proved handy with the ball, apart from offering solidity with the bat in the middle order in Sundar’s absence.
“He’s been playing and performing, and he’s played for India A. Normally, no team would go with five bowlers, if we had an injured Washy and only five bowlers in the last game, who would have completed those overs? So we need to have somebody who can bowl those 4-5 overs, and that’s why he has been selected,” Kotak said during the press conference ahead of the second ODI against New Zealand in Rajkot.
Ayush Badoni’s performances in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26
Badoni was playing for Delhi in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 before his maiden India call-up for the remaining two ODIs in the ongoing series against New Zealand. The right-hander’s performances in the tournament were far from good as he managed only 16 runs in three innings.
However, he made more contributions with the ball, picking up four wickets in three matches that he bowled in for his team. While he has failed to live up to the expectations with the bat, Badoni has done well with the ball with 10 wickets in his last ten competitive outings across tournaments.
After his selection, Delhi head coach Sarandeep Singh said Badoni was rewarded for his relentless focus on improving his bowling in the past few months. However, it remains to be seen if the Delhi all-rounder will be able to pip Nitish Reddy for a spot in India’s playing XI for the remaining two ODIs against New Zealand.