Team India reveals why Ayush Badoni was selected for ODI series against New Zealand – ‘He has been…’ – News24 Team India reveals why Ayush Badoni was selected for ODI series against New Zealand
The injury of Washington Sundar has created an opening for Ayush Badoni, who has been included within the Indian squad for the final two ODIs against New Zealand. This, however, seems to be a little contentious as according to several voices in cricketing circles, the likes of Riyan Parag or Rinku Singh could have been considered for the role.
Addressing the decision ahead of the second ODI, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak threw his weight behind the young Delhi batter. Kotak said Badoni has never failed to impress every time he has turned out for India A, adding that he even does a good job in the Indian Premier League. He went ahead and explained that Badoni’s ability to bowl handy right-arm off-spin makes him a suitable, like-for-like alternative to Washington Sundar, adding balance to the side.
“He has been playing, he has been performing, he has played some India A one-day matches and he has performed. Of course, it is the selectors who pick the team, but for any common man, when Washington is out, you cannot normally go with only five bowlers. For example, in the last game, if we had only five bowlers and Washington got injured in the fourth or fifth over, then who would have bowled those overs? So every team would like to have a sixth bowling option. Sometimes, if it is an all-rounder like Washington, then it’s an equally good bowler; sometimes it might be more of a batter who can bowl.”
“If required, somebody should be able to bowl four or five overs, or even three or four overs, whatever is needed. He has scored a couple of fifties for India A and can bowl. He has performed well in the IPL and white-ball cricket, so good luck to him,” he added.
His record List A as a newcomer – he has played 27 matches, he has mustered 693 runs at 36.47 with an impressive strike rate of over 93. These contributions include one hundred and five fifties, his highest score being 100. Bowling-wise, he has bagged 18 wickets at an economy rate of 4.54, his best figures being 3 for 29.
The youngster also made his presence felt during the tour of India by South Africa A, when he scored a elegant 66 in the second ODI. Even if his bowling performance in the series was nothing special, in the two matches that he played, his bowling remains in proper lines.
He also had an impressive stint with Australia A in India where he took three wickets in two matches at an average of 16.33 and also scored 21 in his solitary batting effort.