Ayush Badoni has been announced as the replacement for Washington Sundar in India’s ODI squad for the remaining two games against New Zealand. Sundar complained of discomfort in his left lower rib area while bowling during the 1st ODI in Vadodara, where he conceded 27 runs off his five overs. He looked in pain during his batting, remaining unbeaten on 7, as India registered a four-wicket victory. It was later confirmed that he has a side strain and was ruled out of the series. Let’s take a look at why Badoni has been included in the India ODI squad against New Zealand.
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Rationale Behind Ayush Badoni’s Selection
Ayush Badoni made his name with his quickfire knocks for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League. He repaid LSG and mentor Gautam Gambhir’s faith by hitting 54 off 41 balls against the Gujarat Titans on his IPL debut in 2022. Since then, Badoni has been a regular player for LSG since the 2022 season, where he has proved his ball-striking abilities. The 26-year-old holds the ability to resurrect the team’s innings in times of collapse due to his calm head and confidence in his skills.
Ayush Badoni, for India 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/NysCl6lxpi
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) January 12, 2026
On many occasions, LSG have lost wickets in quick clusters, and Badoni has stepped up to help the franchise in posting respectable totals on the board. He is known for providing a strong flourish and is a well-known name in the cricket fraternity. During the 2024 Delhi Premier League T20 fixture against the North Delhi Strikers. Ayush Badoni smashed 165 off 55 for the South Delhi Superstarz, with eight fours and nine sixes. His knock helped the side to post a mammoth 308-run total and eventually win the game by over 100 runs.
🚨 BADONI ADDED IN TEAM INDIA SQUAD. 🚨
– Ayush Badoni has replaced Washington Sundar in the ODI squad against New Zealand. pic.twitter.com/XAocppH2lD
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 12, 2026
Moreover, the middle-order batter has also served as the leader for the Delhi side, which has helped him gain a sense of responsibility. As a result, LSG has trusted Badoni’s services, and he has remained a core player of the franchise for the last four years. In 56 IPL games, he has garnered 963 runs at an average of 26.75 and a strike rate of 138.56, with six fifties. In May 2025, he registered his finest knock of 74 off 40 balls against the Punjab Kings.
🚨 JUST IN 🚨
Ayush Badoni has received a maiden call-up to the India ODI squad, coming in as a replacement for Washington Sundar.
He will link up with the squad in Rajkot, the venue for the second ODI.#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/pR5OkMO5YU
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) January 12, 2026
The key reason behind Ayush Badoni being chosen as the replacement for Washington Sundar in the India ODI squad against New Zealand is his ability to contribute in both departments. Badoni rolls the arm regularly for the Delhi side in the domestic circuit. So far, the off-spinner has grabbed 57 wickets across all formats, with best T20 figures of 4/12 in December 2025. During his last bowling appearance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy game against Railways in January 2026, Ayush Badoni bowled his full quota of 10 overs, while conceding 30 runs and taking three wickets.
What Does Badoni Bring to the Table for India ODI Squad against New Zealand?
Apart from him, the Indian roster has the presence of two all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy, but the latter isn’t expected to be part of the XI due to the presence of three pacers. Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav will be two primary spin options for the team, and will look to control the middle overs with their wicket-taking abilities.
🚨 News 🚨
Washington Sundar ruled out of #INDvNZ ODI series; Ayush Badoni receives maiden call-up.
Details ▶️ https://t.co/ktIeMig1sr #TeamIndia | @IDFCFIRSTBank
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 12, 2026
The second fixture will take place in Rajkot, while Indore will serve as the host to the final game. The last ODI in Rajkot took place in 2023 and witnessed Australia scoring 352 against India and winning the game by 66 runs. Meanwhile, India slammed 399 against Australia in the last ODI game in Indore in 2023. With both being true batting surfaces, Ayush Badoni could be a replacement for Washington Sundar in the XI. Badoni can be a handy option in the middle overs to turn the tide towards the hosts.
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Although Badoni doesn’t possess a strong physique, he can clear fences with ease. In particular, he is devastating against spin, where he uses his sweeps to score boundaries and also has a natural tendency to step down against the tweakers to hit maximums. Meanwhile, he can make full use of the pace offered by the fast bowlers with his immaculate timing to send the balls over the fence. If he comes in the middle overs, Ayush Badoni can rotate the strike well and accumulate odd boundaries to maintain the team’s tempo. He can come after Ravindra Jadeja at No. 7, and also solve the problem of a finisher in the absence of Hardik Pandya.
Conclusion
If Ayush Badoni clicks well, he can have a longer run in the Indian ODI team. Coach Gambhir is known to back players to the hilt, who he believes have the right talent and fit the team combination. Many trolled the former batter for his trust in the abilities of Harshit Rana, but the latter proved his talent by contributing in both departments to India’s victory in the Vadodara ODI. With the 2027 T20 World Cup preparations on the horizon, Badoni looks like a promising option as a batting all-rounder for the Indian team.
