NEW DELHI/RAJKOT — January 12, 2026 : In a swift move to bolster the national squad, the BCCI has named uncapped Delhi all-rounder Ayush Badoni as the replacement for the injured Washington Sundar for the remaining two ODIs against New Zealand. The decision comes as the Indian team transitions to Rajkot for the second match of the series following a hard-fought opening victory.
Sundar was ruled out after sustaining a rib injury during the series opener in Vadodara on Sunday. While the spinning all-rounder displayed significant grit to complete his batting innings and secure India’s win, medical evaluations confirmed he would be unable to participate in the upcoming fixtures in Rajkot and Indore.
Ayush Badoni, 26, has long been viewed as a high-potential talent within the domestic circuit. He rose to national prominence through his consistent performances for the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, where he thrived under the mentorship of current India head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Primarily a middle-order batter known for his composure under pressure, Badoni has recently evolved into a genuine dual-threat player. He currently leads the Delhi state side and served as vice-captain to Rishabh Pant during the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy. While his First-Class batting average is a formidable 57.96, his List A record is more developmental, averaging 36.47 across 27 matches.
The selection appears to be a reward for Badoni’s intense focus on his off-spin. Delhi head coach and former India spinner Sarandeep Singh highlighted the youngster’s discipline, noting that Badoni has made it a point to bowl at least 30 deliveries in every practice session to prove his worth as an all-rounder.
“He is a very smart cricketer and learns quickly,” Sarandeep told PTI. “His off-spin has improved considerably over the last 12 months; it turns sharply, and he has developed a reliable carrom ball and arm ball. He is now getting wickets for us regularly in domestic cricket.”
The call-up has triggered widespread discussion among former players and fans. Former India pacer Irfan Pathan congratulated Badoni on X, while noting the tactical landscape of the current squad. “Congratulations to Ayush Badoni for the Team India call-up. He had a few decent hits for India A recently, including a 50 against Australia A,” Pathan noted, while also observing that a fit Riyan Parag might have been the primary choice for a like-for-like replacement.
Some sections of the fanbase have questioned why experienced names like Axar Patel or Ruturaj Gaikwad were not prioritised. However, the selection of Badoni suggests the team management is keen on grooming a specific profile of a lower-middle-order finisher who can provide vital “utility” overs with the ball.
Badoni is expected to join the Indian camp in Rajkot tonight. With the second ODI scheduled for Wednesday at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, all eyes will be on whether the 26-year-old makes his international debut on a surface traditionally known to favor aggressive stroke-makers.
