Former Team India cricketer Kris Srikkanth has criticized the selection of Ayush Badoni in the Indian ODI team, calling the decision “rubbish.” The former chief selector also questioned head coach Gautam Gambhir’s thinking behind the call-up, adding that he could not understand the logic used by the selectors.
Badoni was added to India’s ODI squad for the remainder of the series against New Zealand. The batting all-rounder was brought into the side despite not being in form during the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy. India made the change after Washington Sundar was ruled out with an injury following the series opener.
What Kind of Door Is This? – Kris Srikkanth Slams Gautam Gambhir
Kris Srikkanth stated that Ayush Badoni’s selection may be linked to his IPL connection. Srikkanth said that Badoni plays for Lucknow Super Giants, where Gautam Gambhir previously worked as a mentor. He added that the selectors ignored other options like Axar Patel and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
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“What kind of door is this? Bring two or three trucks, take them and go through and break the door. Really, I don’t understand what it is,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel ‘Cheeky Cheeka’.
“Out of Axar, Badoni, Nitish Reddy, and Gaikwad, which two must really be in the team? Badoni played at LSG and he (Gambhir) was the mentor there. I don’t see any other reason. What else can it be? On what basis? You should have some sense in selection,” he added.
Axar Patel Is A Genuine All-Rounder – Kris Srikkanth on Ayush Badoni’s Selection
Kris Srikkanth said that IPL performances should not be used as the main measure for picking players in ODIs. He stated that Ayush Badoni’s record does not justify a place at this level. Srikkanth also added that if the team needed an all-rounder, Axar Patel should have been the obvious choice.
“Ayush Badoni with this performance, no chance. What is his track record in the IPL also? IPL and one-day cricket is different. He has not done anything great,” he said.
“He is not a guy who can take the match away from you. Can he come at number six and hit sixes also? I don’t understand.
“What rubbish is this? How is he considered a bowling all-rounder? If an all-rounder is missing why not bring in Axar Patel? He is a genuine all-rounder in all formats,” Srikkanth added.
Ayush Badoni’s Recent Numbers Compared With Axar Patel
Ayush Badoni has had modest returns in recent competitions. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, he scored 16 runs from three innings at an average of 8.00. With the ball, he bowled 22 overs and picked up four wickets, including a 3/30 against Railways.
In his List-A career, Badoni has taken 18 wickets in 20 innings at an economy rate of 4.54. With the bat, he has scored 693 runs in 22 innings, including one century and five fifties. In the IPL, he has made 963 runs from 56 matches at an average of 26.75 and a strike rate of 138.56, with six half-centuries.
Meanwhile, Axar Patel scored 75 runs from two innings and claimed three wickets in his last ODI series. During the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Axar played two matches for Gujarat, scoring 130 against Andhra Pradesh along with bowling figures of 2/27, and adding 73 runs against Odisha.
