IND vs NZ 2026: ‘If Parag was fit, he would have been ideal replacement for Sundar’ – Former all-rounder analyses Badoni’s maiden India call-up

Ayush Badoni earned a maiden India call-up as he replaced the injured Washington Sundar for the two remaining ODIs against New Zealand. The latter sustained a rib injury during the first innings of the first ODI at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday, January 11. On Monday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Sundar will miss the last two matches and Badoni comes into the line-up to take his place.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan reckoned that Assam all-rounder Riyan Parag, had he been fit, could have been an ideal replacement for Sundar. However, the cricketer-turned-expert went on to congratulate Badoni, highlighting some of his performances for India A.

“If Riyan Parag was fit he would have been ideal replacement for Washington sundar. Congratulations to Ayush Badoni for Team India call up. He had few decent hits for India A. For India A, he scored 66(66) vs South Africa A in November and 21(20) & 50(27) vs Australia A in October,” Pathan wrote on his official ‘X’ handle.

How has Ayush Badoni fared in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26?

Badoni played five matches for Delhi in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. He got to bat in only three games and registered scores of 1, 12, and 3*. With the ball, the Lucknow Super Giants’ star picked up four wickets, including a three-for against Railways.

While his performances in 50-over cricket weren’t that great, he performed better in the preceding Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In seven matches, he scored 206 runs at an average of 29.42 and a strike rate of 135.52. He bowled in every match and finished with five scalps to his name.

It will be interesting to see if Badoni gets drafted into the playing XI straightaway. The team management could pick either him or Nitish Kumar Reddy in the side for the second ODI, which will be played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Wednesday, January 14.