India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has explained the decision to give a maiden call-up to Ayush Badoni for the remaining two ODI matches against New Zealand. The Delhi cricketer replaced the injured Washington Sundar in the squad.

Badoni has played 27 List A games in which he has scored 693 runs, including a century and 5 fifties, and has picked up 18 wickets and thus many experts have questioned his selection.

“He’s been playing and performing and he’s played for India A. Normally no team would go with five bowlers, if we had an injured Washy and only five bowlers in the last game, who would have completed those overs? So we need to have somebody who can bowl those 4-5 overs and that’s why he has been selected,” Sitanshu Kotak said during the press conference ahead of the second ODI.

Meanwhile, Kotak also opened up on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s roles for the upcoming ODI World Cup.

“With Rohit and Virat playing only one format, I am sure they are thinking that India should win in that one format they are playing in. The experience that they have, they can give ideas and they do discuss about our plans about going to South Africa,” Kotak said.

Kohli and Rohit have been in rich form in the recent past. While Rohit scored 202 runs in three games against Australia, Virat scored 350 runs in as many matches against South Africa. Kohli also scored a match-winning knock of 93 runs off just 91 balls in the opening ODI against New Zealand at Vadodara on Sunday.

The second ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at Rajkot on Wednesday.