Washington Sundar ruled out of ODI series, Ayush Badoni gets maiden India call-up

What happened: Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the remaining ODIs against New Zealand due to a rib injury, with Ayush Badoni named as his replacement.

Why it matters now: The injury comes mid-series, forcing India to adjust its all-round balance ahead of crucial matches.

What changes for people: Ayush Badoni earns his first senior ODI call-up and will join the squad immediately.

Who is affected: Team India, selectors, and fans following the New Zealand tour of India.

India all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the rest of the IDFC First Bank ODI series against New Zealand after sustaining an injury during the opening match in Vadodara. The BCCI confirmed that Ayush Badoni has been drafted in as his replacement, marking a major milestone in the young batter’s career.

What happened to Washington Sundar

According to an official BCCI media advisory issued on January 12, 2026, Sundar experienced acute discomfort in his left lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara.

Medical officials stated that Sundar will undergo further scans, after which the BCCI medical team will seek expert opinion on his recovery timeline.

He has been ruled out of the remaining two matches of the ODI series.

Ayush Badoni’s big opportunity

The Men’s Selection Committee has named Ayush Badoni as Sundar’s replacement. The Lucknow Super Giants batter, known for his composure and finishing ability, will link up with the squad in Rajkot, the venue for the second ODI.

For Badoni, this marks his maiden senior ODI call-up, a significant step after consistent domestic and franchise performances.

Impact on India’s ODI plans

Sundar’s absence reduces India’s spin all-rounder depth, especially in conditions that often reward versatility. The team management is now expected to reassess combinations, particularly the balance between batting depth and bowling options.

Cricket analysts say Badoni’s inclusion signals confidence in young middle-order talent, even though he brings a different skill set compared to Sundar.

India’s updated squad for 2nd and 3rd ODIs

The revised Indian squad now includes:

Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ayush Badoni.