India cricket team batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has revealed why Ayush Badoni was named as replacement for an injured Washington Sundar for the remainder of the IND vs NZ ODI series. The Delhi youngster received his maiden ODI call-up after the Tamil Nadu all-rounder sustained a rib injury during the 1st ODI following which he was ruled out of the series. While several critics objected to Badoni’s inclusion over other possible candidates, Kotak has now shed light on the rationale behind the LSG star’s inclusion.
Why has Badoni been named Sundar’s replacement?
Speaking to reporters ahead of the IND vs NZ 2nd ODI, Kotak explained that India needed a sixth bowling option and couldn’t have just five in their side. He explained that the team could have an all-rounder like Sundar who was equally good with bat and ball, and could sometimes have a player like Badoni who could bat better than bowl. Kotak further pointed out that Ayush has been performing well in India A one-day matches as well.
“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,” Kotak said.
Ayush Badoni is Delhi’s Ranji Trophy captain and has been a crucial part of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) team in the IPL. Badoni also has experience of playing for India A and has been a regular fixture for India’s second team, especially in white-ball cricket. In List-A matches, the 26-year-old has close to 700 runs at 36.47 and at a strike rate of 93.27.
“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,” Kotak added.
