Ahead of the second ODI match against New Zealand, Ayush Badoni has received a maiden call-up to Team India. All-rounder Washington Sundar has sustained an injury and has been ruled out of the series.
Following the maiden call-up for Badoni, former Team India cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that the selection committee was looking for a replacement who can match Sundar`s potential, but as they didn`t find it, the think tank has provided an opportunity to the Delhi-born cricketer.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said, “Washington Sundar is not there. So Ayush Badoni has come in his place. I think the Indian selection committee was looking for a like-for-like replacement, and that is not available. Ayush Badoni bowled a lot and batted for India A. He is also bowling for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and is economical”.
“So the selection committee went for Ayush Badoni. It could be a slightly unpopular choice because he hasn`t scored even 1,000 runs in List A cricket. He does not have those many wickets, seeing which you would say he has broken the door and come in,” he added.
While Badoni has not been able to bat much for Delhi in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring just 15 runs in three innings, he has bowled some useful spells for Delhi, with a brilliant 3/30 in 10 overs against Railways, 1/28 in seven overs against Services and 0/21 in five overs against Gujarat.
Chopra then raised questions on why Riyan Parag or Rinku Singh didn`t get opportunities despite both players having the ability to bowl.
“You might be wondering why Riyan Parag couldn`t have come, or why Rinku Singh couldn`t have been thought about. Riyan Parag has just started coming back after a very long injury layoff. Another middle-order batter was available in the form of Rinku Singh. Although he has started bowling a lot now, he is not basically a bowler. He is a batter who bowls occasionally,” said the former cricketer.
The second ODI match between Team India and New Zealand is scheduled to be played at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.
(With ANI Inputs)
