India vs New Zealand ODIs: Ayush Badoni Replaces Injured Washington Sundar in India Squad

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India have named uncapped all-rounder Ayush Badoni as a replacement for the injured Washington Sundar, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the three-ODI series against New Zealand due to a left lower rib injury.

Following the injury, the team confirmed that he will miss the second and third ODIs, creating an opportunity for Badoni to make his senior India debut. The change comes ahead of the second ODI against New Zealand in Rajkot on January 14, 2026.

How Washington Sundar Got Injured?

Sundar sustained the injury while bowling during India’s four-wicket win in the first ODI at Vadodara on Sunday. He completed five overs before leaving the field and did not return to bowl. Despite the injury, the all-rounder came to bat at number eight and remained unbeaten.

Following a medical assessment, Sundar was ruled out of the entire ODI series. Scans and expert consultations are underway to determine his recovery timeline ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.

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Match Context During the Time of Injury

When Washington Sundar sustained his left lower rib injury while bowling, India was chasing New Zealand’s total of 300 for 8 in the first ODI at Vadodara on January 11, 2026. Sundar had bowled five overs before the discomfort forced him to leave the field.

Despite the injury, India managed to secure a four-wicket victory with strong batting performances from Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, who finished the chase with crucial contributions in the final overs. The physical demands of bowling in the competitive match at Vadodara ultimately led to Sundar’s rib injury, which proved serious enough to rule him out of the remaining ODIs in the series.

Who Is Ayush Badoni?

Delhi‑born Ayush Badoni, 26, is a batting all‑rounder who bats right‑handed and bowls right‑arm off‑break. He represents Delhi in domestic cricket and has also been a regular for India A, showcasing his ability to score quickly while providing handy off‑spin.

Badoni’s early promise with India’s U‑19 side and leadership stints with South Delhi Superstarz in the Delhi Premier League underline his all‑round credentials. Badoni earned his maiden India call‑up after consistent domestic performances and the backing of his former mentor Gautam Gambhir.

He made his IPL debut for Lucknow Super Giants in 2022 and has become a key member of the franchise; across 56 matches, he has scored 963 runs at an average of 26.75 and a strike‑rate of 138.56 while also taking four wickets.

But his List A record tells a different story. Badoni averages just 36.47 in 27 domestic one-day matches with one century and five fifties, and his recent form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy has been underwhelming, with scores of 1, 12, and 3. His selection likely has more to do with what he offers as an all-rounder rather than pure batting numbers.

In India A appearances last year, Badoni delivered some promising performances, a 66 against South Africa A and scores of 21 and 50 against Australia A. More importantly, he’s worked hard on his off-spin bowling.

Delhi head coach revealed that Badoni bowls at least seven overs after every batting session as part of his training routine, and his effort has paid off with useful spells in List A cricket, including figures of 3/30 against Railways earlier this month.

What Makes Badoni the Right Fit?

The selectors needed a player who could replace Washington Sundar’s role as a batting all-rounder and off-spin bowler. Badoni fits this requirement, helping maintain team balance without forcing changes to the playing XI.

Another factor is workload management ahead of the T20 World Cup, which begins in India on February 7. India chose Badoni over more experienced options like Axar Patel or Ruturaj Gaikwad, likely to avoid risking key World Cup players in a bilateral ODI series.