Explained: What Ayush Badoni's ODI Call-Up Signals About India's Selection Thinking

India's selectors announced on January 12 a maiden ODI call-up for Delhi all-rounder Ayush Badoni, named as a replacement for the injured Washington Sundar in India's home series against New Zealand. Badoni, a right-handed middle-order batsman who bowls off-spin, joined the squad ahead of the second ODI after Sundar suffered a left rib injury in the first match.

The decision has resulted in a lot of murmurs in the community, questioning Gautam Gambhir, and a discussion of other players who would have been a better choice.

Men's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak explained the pick as a balance move. With Sundar ruled out, "no team would go with only five bowlers. we need somebody who can bowl those 4-5 overs, and that's why he has been selected," he said.

Delhi coach Sarandeep Singh, who coached Badoni at Delhi in the IPL, praised this decision, saying Badoni "deserved this call. "

Covering Sundar's role with bowling depth

Kotak noted that Badoni has featured for India A and in the IPL, which gave selectors confidence in his white-ball credentials. He has struck 693 runs in 27 List-A games and taken 18 wickets, and has secured 963 IPL runs in 56 innings for Lucknow Super Giants.

Badoni was singled out as someone who "has performed really well for India A. and in the IPL, making him a good candidate to fill the shoes of Washington Sundar with his useful right-arm offbreak. "

On paper, his recent Vijay Hazare (50-over) batting returns have been modest - 16 runs in five innings - but he impressed with the ball. As Hindustan Times reports, Badoni produced figures of 10-0-30-3 in a Vijay Hazare match for Delhi against Railways, underlining the extra overs Kotak was referring to.

In short, Badoni's selection has been less about star batting numbers and providing the sixth bowling option that India wanted after Sundar's injury.

Ayush Badoni vs Nitish Reddy: contrasting all-rounders

Badoni's inclusion also invited comparison with fellow all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who had already been named in the original squad.

India's announced ODI squad listed "all-rounders: Washington Sundar (withdrawn), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ayush Badoni". The contrast is stark: Reddy is a batting all-rounder who bowls right-arm medium fast, whereas Badoni is primarily a batter who bowls off-spin.

Selecting Badoni in Sundar's place suggests the selector prioritised retaining spin depth in the bowling lineup. India likely avoided drafting veteran Axar Patel to keep him fresh for the upcoming T20 World Cup, and instead added Badoni - a player Gambhir knows well.

The decision reflects a broader selection approach: backing form and role-fit over reputation. Rather than inserting another seam bowler, the team chose a like-for-like spin option to cover Sundar's loss.

It underscored that the selectors value the ability to bowl multiple overs, even if the batting stats are unremarkable, and are willing to give domestic standouts a chance.

In sum, Badoni's call-up fills the immediate need for bowling support, while also signalling India's intent to nurture promising all-round talent as they balance current duties with the future World Cup cycle.