India and New Zealand will play the second ODI on January 14.
India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak spoke about why Ayush Badoni was drafted in as a replacement for Washington Sundar for the last two ODIs against New Zealand that will be played in Rajkot on January 14 and in Indore on January 18.
Sundar experienced extreme discomfort in his left lower rib area while bowling in the series opener in Vadodara, prompting the team management to reconsider ahead of the second ODI.
Ayush Badoni, who has played for India A, has now been asked to fill that void. Kotak highlighted the dangers of going into an ODI with only five frontline bowlers, especially when one is already injured.
“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 said in the pre-match press conference in Rajkot.
Despite making a modest comeback with the bat in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he scored 16 runs from five games, Ayush Badoni has been called up. However, he has provided proof of the "extra overs" value that Kotak is relying on.
Ayush Badoni has ample experience in IPL, as he has played for Lucknow Super Giants since 2022 season. He has 963 runs in 56 matches at a strike rate of 138.56, with six half-centuries and a best of 74.
(PTI inputs)