‘I Got the Benefit of…’ Ayush Badoni reveals his Team India strategy after being called in
For Ayush Badoni, the road to an India call-up wasn’t about doing something flashy, it was about adding value. The 26-year-old Delhi cricketer believes his shift from being a specialist batter to a genuine all-rounder played a major role in earning his place in the national squad for the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand.
Badoni has been drafted in as Washington Sundar’s replacement for the second and third ODIs, and the timing couldn’t be better for a player who’s quietly expanded his skill set over the last couple of seasons.
From batter to all-rounder
Speaking on BCCI.tv, Badoni revealed that he’s been focusing heavily on his off-spin bowling for the past two years. What started as a secondary skill has now become a key part of his identity as a cricketer.
“Earlier, I used to only bat,” Badoni said. “But over the last two years, I’ve worked a lot on my bowling. I always feel I can take wickets and contribute to the team. I’ve bowled regularly for Delhi and picked up wickets, so being an all-rounder has definitely helped me.”
That extra dimension has clearly caught the selectors’ attention, especially in a format where balance is everything.
A call-up he couldn’t even announce himself
Interestingly, Badoni didn’t even get the chance to break the big news to his family. The call from the selectors came late at night, and by the time morning arrived, the squad announcement was already public.
“They found out in the morning when it was announced,” he said. “They were very happy and proud.”
It was a moment years in the making, one that reflected consistent performances rather than overnight success.
Learning from legends, enjoying the environment
Badoni also spoke warmly about the dressing-room atmosphere and the opportunity to learn from some of India’s biggest names. For him, just being around senior players is a masterclass in itself.
“There are a lot of legends in the team,” he said. “I try to learn from them when they bat or bowl. That really helps improve my game.”
He also mentioned the camaraderie within the squad, sharing a close bond with players like Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, and Shreyas Iyer, something that’s helped him settle in quickly.
Consistency at the domestic level
Badoni’s call-up hasn’t come out of the blue. He’s been a regular for Delhi in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, and was even handed the captaincy recently, a sign of the trust placed in him.
Having already represented India Under-19 and India A, this international nod feels like a natural progression rather than a leap of faith.
Will he get his chance in Indore?
With Nitish Kumar Reddy featuring in the second ODI at Rajkot, which India went on to win, it remains to be seen whether Badoni will make his debut in the series decider. The final ODI is scheduled for January 18 at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.
Whether he plays or not, one thing is clear: Ayush Badoni’s willingness to evolve has opened the door. Now, he’ll be ready whenever Team India decides to call him onto the field.