Why did India pick Ayush Badoni as Washington Sundar’s replacement?:Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak explains reason ahead of Rajkot ODI

Team India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak explained the reason behind Ayush Badoni being selected to replace Washington Sundar in the ongoing India vs New Zealand ODI series. Badoni earned a surprise maiden call-up to the Indian team after Washington was ruled out of the ODI series with a lower rib injury. India have a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after winning the first game in Vadodara by 4 wickets. The second match will be played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. Also read: India eye 2026’s first series win, Kiwis in do-or-die territory: Shreyas Iyer needs 34 runs to surpass Virat Kohli’s fastest 3000 ODI runs milestone Sitanshu Kotak speaks on Ayush Badoni’s surprise selection Kotak was speaking at the pre-match press conference in Rajkot on 13 January, where he clarified the reason behind this choice. He said, “He’s been playing and performing and he’s played for India A. Normally, no team would go with five bowlers. If we had an injured Washy and only five bowlers in the last game, who would have completed those overs?” “So we need to have somebody who can bowl those 4-5 overs and that’s why he has been selected,” Kotak added. It remains to be seen who replaces Washington in India’s playing XI in the second ODI in Rajkot. While Badoni can make his ODI debut, India also have the luxury of picking Nitish Kumar Reddy. Also read: ICC says no threat to Bangladeshi team in India: Apex body rejects BCB’s demand to shift T20 World Cup matches outside India Ayush Badoni’s List-A career Ayush Badoni, so far, has played just 27 matches in his List-A career. The Delhi cricketer has scored 693 runs with one century and five fifties to his name at an average of 36.47. With the ball, he has picked up 18 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 4.54. Badoni hasn’t had a good time in the Vijay Hazare Trophy so far with the bat, managing just 16 runs in five matches. However, he had starred in Delhi’s victory over Railways with a three-wicket haul, conceding just 30 runs in his 10 overs.