Irfan Pathan Questions Ayush Badoni's Selection for ODI Series Against New Zealand
Surprising Selection of Ayush Badoni
Irfan Pathan, a former all-rounder for Team India and now a commentator, expressed his astonishment regarding the decision made by head coach Gautam Gambhir's management to include Ayush Badoni in the squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand.
Badoni was brought into the team as a substitute for Washington Sundar, who had to withdraw from the series due to a side strain sustained during the first match at Kotam Stadium in Vadodara on January 11. However, many fans and analysts found Badoni's selection puzzling, as he does not mirror Sundar's playing style.
Criticism from Kris Srikkanth
Kris Srikkanth, a former Indian opener and current chief selector for the BCCI, raised concerns about the rationale behind Badoni's inclusion, labeling it 'unfair' and pointing out inconsistencies in the selection process. He argued that Badoni's recent domestic performances did not warrant a spot in the ODI squad against New Zealand.
Pathan's Take on Badoni's Call-Up
The selection of Ayush Badoni sparked significant discussion among fans and experts, particularly since it marked his first call-up to the national team. Irfan Pathan shared his thoughts on his YouTube channel, stating that he struggled to comprehend the reasoning behind Badoni's selection. While he acknowledged Badoni's potential, he questioned whether the young player was prepared for international competition, especially considering his recent performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
"I didn’t understand it at all. I absolutely couldn’t make sense of it. It was completely out of left field," Pathan remarked.
He further examined Badoni's recent scores in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, noting that while he possesses high potential, he may not yet be ready for the international stage.
Ayush Badoni's Domestic Performance
In the 2025/26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Badoni had a disappointing run, accumulating only 16 runs at an average of 12 across three matches, although he did manage to take four wickets. In the previous season, he scored 152 runs, including a half-century, at an average of 25.33 in six matches.
Pathan's Concerns About Selection Criteria
Pathan continued to express his surprise regarding Badoni's selection as a replacement for Sundar, emphasizing that the batter's domestic form has not been particularly impressive. He suggested that the selectors might have opted for Badoni based on his all-around capabilities rather than consistent performances, making the decision unexpected.
"I was a bit surprised, honestly. Guys like Ayush Badoni have not done that well, right? I mean, he hasn’t exactly set domestic cricket on fire. It hasn’t really happened like that," Pathan stated.
He noted that Badoni had a few decent scores against South Africa A and Australia A, and while he took four wickets in three games during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the overall impression was that his selection was indeed surprising.
Badoni's List A Record
Ayush Badoni's statistics in List A cricket do not strongly support his ODI selection, as he has scored only 693 runs, including one fifty and five fifties, with an average of 36.47 over 27 matches. Despite being part of the squad, Badoni did not participate in the last two ODIs against New Zealand held in Rajkot and Indore.