The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Monday that Delhi batter Ayush Badoni has received his first senior national call-up. The 26-year-old joins the squad for the remainder of the ODI series against New Zealand, replacing all-rounder Washington Sundar, who has been sidelined with an acute rib injury.
Sundar, who played a pivotal role in India’s tense four-wicket victory in the series opener at Vadodara, reported "acute onset discomfort in his left lower rib area" while bowling on Sunday. Despite finishing the match, subsequent medical assessments in Mumbai suggested a recovery period of at least a fortnight, effectively ending his participation in the three-match ODI leg.
The selection of Badoni, a middle-order specialist, over a like-for-like spin-bowling all-rounder like Axar Patel has sparked debate. However, sources within the selection committee indicate a clear strategy: load management.
With the T20 World Cup set to begin in Mumbai on February 7, the team management opted not to risk Axar, currently the T20I vice-captain. Instead, they have turned to Badoni, a player head coach Gautam Gambhir has mentored closely since their time together at Lucknow Super Giants. Badoni is expected to compete with Nitish Kumar Reddy for a spot in the XI for the second ODI in Rajkot.
Badoni has been a consistent performer for Delhi and India A, proving his ability to anchor and accelerate in the middle-to-lower order.
While primarily a batter, Badoni’s evolving off-spin—evidenced by his recent four-wicket burst for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy—makes him a versatile utility player for the sub-continental conditions expected in Rajkot and Indore.
The loss of Sundar is the latest blow to an Indian camp grappling with a growing injury list just weeks before a home World Cup.
Rishabh Pant: Ruled out of the ODI series with a side strain.
Tilak Varma: Sidelined for the first three T20Is following groin surgery.
Washington Sundar: Racing against time to be fit for the T20I leg starting January 21.
With two key all-rounders now under medical observation, the pressure shifts to the medical team at the National Cricket Academy to ensure the squad is at full strength by February.
Badoni will join the squad in Rajkot ahead of the second ODI on January 14. India currently leads the series 1-0. A win in Rajkot would secure the series before the final encounter in Indore on January 18.
