The Indian cricket team’s ODI campaign against New Zealand just got a whole lot more unpredictable. Fresh off a commanding win in the series opener at Vadodara, the squad has been dealt a significant blow: all-rounder Washington Sundar is out with a rib injury. And in a move that’s raised eyebrows across the cricketing world, his replacement isn’t another seasoned spinner—but 23-year-old Delhi batter Ayush Badoni, who has earned his maiden Ayush Badoni ODI call-up .
This surprise selection comes on the heels of Rishabh Pant’s earlier withdrawal, underscoring a worrying trend of injuries plaguing India’s middle order and bowling depth. So, is this a desperate stopgap—or a visionary bet on the future?
Table of Contents
- The Injury That Changed the Squad
- Ayush Badoni ODI Call-Up: A Profile of the Newcomer
- Why Not Another All-Rounder? The Selectors’ Dilemma
- Badoni’s Domestic and IPL Record: What to Expect
- Impact on India’s Tactical Approach for Remaining ODIs
- Conclusion: A Risk Worth Taking?
- Sources
The Injury That Changed the Squad
Washington Sundar suffered a side strain during India’s successful chase in the first ODI. Though he batted through the pain to contribute with the bat, he was visibly restricted while bowling, delivering only five overs . Post-match scans confirmed a rib injury, forcing the BCCI medical team to rule him out of the remaining two matches in the series .
Sundar’s absence leaves a void not just in the spin department—where Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja now shoulder the entire load—but also in the lower-middle order, where his ability to rotate strike and accelerate was crucial.
Ayush Badoni ODI Call-Up: A Profile of the Newcomer
For many fans, Ayush Badoni’s name may be unfamiliar outside IPL circles. But those who follow domestic cricket know him as a dynamic finisher with explosive potential. Hailing from Delhi, Badoni has been a consistent performer in age-group and senior tournaments. His breakout moment came in a U-19 four-day match against Sri Lanka, where he scored a blistering 185 and took four wickets—showcasing rare all-round flair .
In the IPL, playing for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Badoni carved a niche as a power-hitter in the death overs. In the 2024 season, he delivered two match-winning cameos, including a 42* off just 21 balls against Mumbai Indians . His most talked-about innings, however, came in August 2024 in the Delhi Premier League, where he smashed an astonishing 165 off 55 balls—featuring 19 sixes—proving his ability to dominate any bowling attack .
Why Not Another All-Rounder? The Selectors’ Dilemma
Logically, replacing an all-rounder with a specialist batter seems counterintuitive. Options like Shahbaz Ahmed or Riyan Parag were available. But the selectors appear to have prioritized batting firepower over balance—a telling sign of their current strategy.
With Shubman Gill’s young side leaning into aggressive, high-risk batting, Badoni’s inclusion signals a commitment to that philosophy. The thinking may be: “We already have Jadeja and Kuldeep for spin; what we need is someone who can turn 280 into 320 in the final 10 overs.” It’s a gamble, but one that aligns with modern ODI trends where totals above 300 are increasingly common.
Badoni’s Domestic and IPL Record: What to Expect
Here’s a snapshot of Ayush Badoni’s recent performances:
- IPL 2024: 187 runs in 11 matches, strike rate of 168.47, with two quickfire fifties.
- Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025: 312 runs at an average of 44.57, including a century against Karnataka.
- Delhi Premier League 2024: 528 runs in 8 matches, including the record-breaking 165.
While his international temperament remains untested, his ability to handle pressure in domestic crunch games suggests he won’t be easily overwhelmed.
Impact on India’s Tactical Approach for Remaining ODIs
With Badoni in the squad, expect India to promote him to No. 6 or 7, right after Tilak Varma or KL Rahul. His role will likely be to target the 40th to 50th overs—a phase where New Zealand’s pace-heavy attack can be vulnerable.
However, the trade-off is real. Without Sundar’s part-time overs, India may be forced to bowl extra overs from their frontline pacers or rely on part-timers like Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, which could backfire on flat Indian pitches. For deeper tactical insights, see our analysis on [INTERNAL_LINK:team-india-odi-strategy-evolution].
Conclusion: A Risk Worth Taking?
The Ayush Badoni ODI call-up is undeniably bold. It reflects both the urgency of the moment and a long-term vision to inject fearless youth into the national setup. While Washington Sundar’s injury is a setback, it has opened a door for a new star to potentially emerge. If Badoni can replicate even a fraction of his domestic explosiveness on the international stage, this surprise pick could be remembered not as a panic move—but as the birth of India’s next finisher.
Sources
Our reporting is based on official announcements from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and verified performance data from domestic tournaments. For authoritative player statistics and historical context, we reference ESPNcricinfo, the global standard for cricket analytics.
- Times of India. “IND vs NZ: Ayush Badoni earns maiden ODI call-up as Washington Sundar ruled out of series.” January 12, 2026.
- BCCI Official Press Release on Squad Changes.
- ESPNcricinfo – Player Profiles and Match Archives.
- Domestic tournament scorecards (Vijay Hazare Trophy, Delhi Premier League).