IND vs NZ 2026: India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak breaks silence on Ayush Badoni's ODI call-up

Uncapped Delhi all-rounder Ayush Badoni recently received a surprise India call-up following Washington Sundar being ruled out of the ongoing New Zealand ODI series due to a rib injury sustained in Vadodara. While Badoni’s inclusion grabbed significant attention, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has now explained the reason behind the selection.

Notably, Sundar reported acute discomfort in his left lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI at the BCA Stadium. Although he returned to bat at No. 8, further medical assessment led the BCCI to rule him out of the remaining two matches. With India already dealing with injuries to Rishabh Pant and Tilak Varma, the team management was forced to reassess its combination, particularly the need for adequate bowling depth in 50-over cricket.

The selectors named Badoni as Sundar’s replacement, handing the 26-year-old his maiden international call-up. His selection triggered widespread criticism towards the selection panel and head coach, Gautam Gambhir. It is worth noting that his recent Vijay Hazare Trophy returns with the bat have been decent. However, Kotak made it clear that team balance rather than batting numbers guided the decision.

Speaking ahead of the second ODI, Kotak said that no team can afford to play an ODI with only five bowling options. He pointed out that had Sundar been unavailable earlier in the match, India would have had no options to complete the overs. According to Kotak, Badoni’s ability to bowl four to five overs made him a practical, like-for-like replacement for Sundar, even if their primary skills differ.

"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," he said as quoted by NDTV.

If required, somebody should be able to bowl four or five overs: Kotak

Kotak also stated Badoni’s prior performances for India A and his experience in the IPL. The Delhi all-rounder has played multiple India A one-day games, scoring fifties and contributing with the ball. 

"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.