Delhi cricketer Ayush Badoni credited his transformation into an all-rounder as the key factor behind his maiden India call-up for the ODI series against New Zealand . The 26-year-old, who was added to the squad after Washington Sundar’s injury, revealed he had been a pure batter until two years ago when he started focusing seriously on his bowling . Though he did not feature in India’s second ODI loss, Badoni remains hopeful of getting a chance in the series decider at Indore’s Holkar Stadium on Sunday .

The moment Badoni got the call

Badoni was captaining Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy when he received the news about his India call-up. “I was with the Delhi team, I was captain there and our next day match was the quarter-finals against Vidarbha. That’s when I got to know about it. Priyansh was my roommate, so I told him that this could happen and I’ll be going, so maybe you’ll be the captain. That was a great feeling,” Badoni said in a video shared by bcci.tv .

He received the call late at night and could not immediately inform his family, but when the announcement was made the next morning, they were very happy and proud . Badoni added that all the coaches and players in the India setup were very welcoming, and since he had played with or against most of them in domestic or franchise cricket, it was nice to meet everyone again .

From pure batter to wicket-taking all-rounder

Badoni revealed that his preparation over the last two years has been very clear—transforming himself from a batter into a genuine all-rounder. “Earlier, I used to bat, but since the last two years, I’ve been focusing a lot on my bowling. I always feel that I can take wickets and contribute to the team with my bowling. So I got the benefit of being an all-rounder. I’ve bowled a lot for Delhi, taken wickets, and benefited from it,” he explained .

His ability to contribute with both bat and ball made him a natural replacement for Washington Sundar, who also brings a similar all-round skill set to the Indian team. Badoni’s recent performances in domestic cricket have been impressive, and his versatility gives India tactical options in the middle order.

Learning from the legends

Badoni spoke about the valuable time he has spent with senior players in the Indian squad, many of whom he considers legends. “A lot of the seniors in our team are legends in a way so I try to learn from them when I bat or bowl. I feel that it enhances my game and I just try to learn as much as I can,” he said .

He mentioned having a good rapport with several teammates, including Harshit Rana, who plays for Delhi, and said he has a lot of fun with Arshdeep Singh and Shreyas Iyer as well . The camaraderie in the dressing room has made his first experience with the national team enjoyable and comfortable.

Will Badoni get his debut in Indore?

With the series locked at 1-1, India will be looking to fine-tune their playing XI for the decider. Badoni’s all-round abilities make him a strong candidate for selection, especially if the team management wants an extra bowling option in the middle order. Whether he gets his debut or not, his journey from a pure batter to an all-rounder who earned an India call-up is an inspiring example of how adaptability and hard work can open new doors in professional cricket.