Rising Indian all-rounder Ayush Badoni has secured his maiden call-up to the senior national team, joining the One Day International (ODI) squad for the series against New Zealand. This significant development, widely reported by prominent Indian news outlets, occurred recently in January 2026. Badoni's inclusion comes as a direct replacement for fellow all-rounder Washington Sundar, who was unfortunately ruled out of the series due to a rib injury/side strain sustained during the first ODI in Vadodara. Speaking to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) TV and other media, Ayush Badoni openly shared his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity. He emphasized that his consistent efforts to improve his bowling, alongside his primary batting skills, played a crucial role in catching the selectors' attention. Badoni revealed that he consciously focused on developing his off-spin over the past two years, recognizing the advantage of being a versatile all-rounder in modern cricket. This call-up rewards Badoni's strong performances in domestic cricket, including for India 'A' and the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. The timing of this selection is particularly noteworthy as it comes ahead of the T20 World Cup, indicating the team management's ongoing assessment of all-round options.