Badoni received his maiden ODI call-up after Washington Sundar suffered a rib injury.
The Delhi cricketer was drafted in as a replacement for the remaining two ODIs after Washington Sundar suffered a rib injury in the series opener at Vadodara.
Badoni earned his maiden ODI call-up after making 27 List A appearances, scoring 693 runs at an average of 36.47 and a strike rate of over 93, including a century and five fifties. He has also claimed 18 wickets at an average of 29.72 and an economy rate of 4.54, with his best figures being 3/29.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth questioned the yardstick used by selectors to pick Badoni, arguing that latter’s recent domestic form did not justify an ODI berth.
Referring to his Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 performances, the former India opener said, “With this kind of performance, he had no chance of selection.”
Badoni failed to make a mark with the bat for Delhi in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring just 15 runs in three innings. However, he has delivered effective bowling spells, returning with the figures of 3/30 in 10 overs against Railways, 1/28 in 7 overs against Services, and 0/21 in 5 overs against Gujarat.
“For some, you are told to score runs. But for some, you are picked even if you don’t do anything,” Srikkanth added.
Srikkanth also mentioned Badoni’s IPL record to highlight his limited power-hitting ability. “Can anyone remind me of one significant knock? He can’t take the match away from you,” he remarked.
Srikkanth was particularly critical of Badoni being viewed as an all-rounder. “Just because he took three wickets in a game, you’re calling him an all-rounder,” Srikkanth said. He also questioned how often Badoni has bowled in the IPL, asking, “Has anyone even seen him bowl there?”
Srikkanth compared Badoni’s selection with the exclusion of proven performers, calling it “absolutely unfair” that Ruturaj Gaikwad was snubbed despite hitting a century in the preceding series against South Africa. “What sin did he commit?” he asked. He also questioned why Axar Patel was overlooked if an all-rounder was indeed required.
Not the one to mince his words, Srikkanth alleged that personal associations may have played a role in Badoni’s inclusion.
“I think he played for LSG, had a mentor there, and that’s why he is in the team now,” he said, adding that he saw “no other reason” for the selection.
On the eve of the second ODI, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak explained why Ayush Badoni was preferred as replacement for Washington Sundar.
“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.