Former India cricketer and chief selector Kris Srikkanth has launched a scathing attack on the selection of Ayush Badoni to the Indian One Day International (ODI) squad. Srikkanth openly questioned the decision, labelling it "rubbish" and accusing India head coach Gautam Gambhir of favoritism. Badoni's call-up came as a replacement for the injured all-rounder Washington Sundar for the remaining matches of the ODI series against New Zealand.^[1][2][3][4] ### Srikkanth's Fiery Comments Speaking on his YouTube channel, 'Cheeky Cheeka,' Kris Srikkanth expressed his bewilderment over Badoni's inclusion. He questioned the rationale behind the selection, particularly given Badoni's recent form. Srikkanth stated that he could not understand the logic used by the selectors.^[1][5] "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 remarked, highlighting his frustration with the selection process.^[1][5][3] He further criticized the decision to pick Badoni, who bowls off-spin, as a replacement for Washington Sundar, a bowling all-rounder. Srikkanth argued that if an all-rounder was needed, Axar Patel, a "genuine all-rounder in all formats," would have been the obvious choice.^[1][2][4] He also mentioned other potential candidates such as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devdutt Padikkal, who had shown strong form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.^[2][4] ### Allegations of Favoritism A central point of Srikkanth's criticism was the alleged link between Badoni's selection and his association with Gautam Gambhir. Srikkanth directly hinted at favoritism, noting that Badoni plays for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where Gambhir previously served as a mentor.^[1][2][5][3] "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," Srikkanth stated.^[1][5][3] Srikkanth emphasized that IPL performances should not be the primary measure for picking players in ODIs. He questioned Badoni's track record in the IPL, suggesting it was not "anything great" and that IPL and one-day cricket are different formats.^[1][4] He stated that Badoni's record does not justify a place at this level, and he is "not a guy who can take the match away from you."^[1][2] ### Badoni's Background and Performance Scrutiny Ayush Badoni, a right-handed batter capable of occasional off-spin, was picked by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 20 lakh in the IPL 2022 mega auction.^[6] He gained prominence after scoring a half-century on his IPL debut, making 54 runs off 41 balls against Gujarat Titans.^[6][7] This performance made him the first player to score 50-plus on IPL debut batting at number six or below.^[7][8] Despite his IPL moments, Srikkanth highlighted Badoni's modest form in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he averaged 36.47 in List A cricket.^[2][4] While Badoni averages nearly 58 in first-class cricket, his List A statistics were a point of contention for Srikkanth.^[2][3] Srikkanth questioned Badoni's ability to be a match-winner and a genuine bowling all-rounder, especially when replacing an established player like Washington Sundar.^[1][2][4] ### Gambhir's Mentorship Role Gautam Gambhir, who was the mentor for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2022 and 2023, played a crucial role in Badoni's early career at the franchise.^[9][7] Badoni himself credited Gambhir for his backing, stating that Gambhir encouraged him to play his natural game and assured him a proper run in the IPL season.^[6][10][8] "Gautam bhaiya backed me a lot," Badoni said in 2022. "He told me to play just my natural game. He told me you won't get the one-odd match, but you will get a proper run."^[6][10] Gambhir's support for Badoni was evident, with the mentor identifying his talent and giving him opportunities at LSG.^[10][8] The former Kolkata Knight Riders captain had also cautioned against judging Badoni too early, stating in 2022, "Too early to talk too much about him because one innings doesn't make you a superstar."^[10] However, this past association is now at the center of Srikkanth's allegations of favoritism in national team selection.^[2][3][4] ### The Broader Selection Debate Srikkanth's comments reignite the long-standing debate in Indian cricket about the criteria for national team selection, particularly the weight given to IPL performances versus domestic first-class and List A records. He argued that it has become increasingly difficult for deserving domestic performers to break into the Indian team.^[4][11] The former chief selector stressed that different formats require different skill sets and that strong IPL showings do not automatically translate to success in ODIs.^[1][4] The unexpected call-up of Badoni, who had a modest Vijay Hazare Trophy season, as a replacement for an injured all-rounder, has certainly sparked a fierce debate among cricket pundits and fans.^[4] Srikkanth's vocal criticism reflects a concern among some former players that selection policies might not always prioritize consistent domestic performance across formats.^[4][11] ### Impact and Future Implications The public criticism from a respected former cricketer and chief selector like Kris Srikkanth places the selectors and the team management under scrutiny. Such strong statements can influence public perception and put pressure on the team to justify their decisions with on-field results. The debate around Ayush Badoni's selection and the alleged role of favoritism will likely continue as the ODI series against New Zealand progresses. The performance of Badoni, if he gets an opportunity, will be keenly watched by all stakeholders in Indian cricket.

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