Published: Jan 14, 2026, 11:52 AM (IST)
Edited: Jan 14, 2026, 11:52 AM (IST)
Star all-rounder Washington Sundar’s injury has opened the door for young Delhi batter Ayush Badoni to join the Indian squad for the last two matches of the India vs New Zealand ODI series 2026. While some fans have welcomed the decision, others believe players like Riyan Parag or Rinku Singh could have been considered.
Ahead of the second ODI, Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak spoke about Badoni’s inclusion, highlighting his impressive performances for India A and in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Kotak emphasized that Badoni’s all-round abilities make him a fitting replacement for the injured Sundar.
Speaking during the press conference, Kotak said: “He has been playing, he has been performing, he has played some India A one-day matches and he has performed. Of course, it is the selectors who pick the team, but for any common man, when Washington is out, you cannot normally go with only five bowlers.
“For example, in the last game, if we had only five bowlers and Washington got injured in the fourth or fifth over, then who would have bowled those overs? So every team would like to have a sixth bowling option. Sometimes, if it is an all-rounder like Washington, then it’s an equally good bowler; sometimes it might be more of a batter who can bowl,” he said.
“If required, somebody should be able to bowl four or five overs, or even three or four overs, whatever is needed. He has scored a couple of fifties for India A and can bowl. He has performed well in the IPL and white-ball cricket, so good luck to him,” he added.
Badoni has been impressive in domestic cricket. In 27 List A matches, he has scored 693 runs at an average of 36.47, with a strike rate over 93, including one century and five fifties, with a highest score of 100.
With the ball, he has taken 18 wickets at an average of 29.72 and an economy rate of 4.54, with best figures of 3/29.
During the India A tour against South Africa A last year, he scored 66 runs in the second unofficial ODI and bowled economical spells of 0/15 in four overs and 0/43 in seven overs. On Australia A’s tour to India, he picked up three wickets in two matches at an average of 16.33 and scored 21 in one innings.
In the IPL, Badoni has played 56 matches for Lucknow Super Giants, scoring 963 runs in 46 innings at an average of 26.75 and a strike rate of 138.56. He has hit six fifties, with a top score of 74.
With Badoni in the squad, India now has a solid sixth bowling option while maintaining depth in the middle order. His inclusion ensures that the team is well-prepared for the remaining ODIs, even with Sundar out due to injury.
Fans and cricket analysts will be watching closely to see if Badoni can make an immediate impact in the India vs New Zealand ODI 2026 series, both with the bat and ball.
