NEW DELHI — In the modern Indian white-ball setup, Washington Sundar has become a “unicorn.” He isn’t just an extra batter; he is a tactical Swiss Army knife who provides left-handed batting depth and high-quality off-spin. Finding a “replacement” for him is rarely about finding a clone; it is about deciding which part of his role the team needs most on a given day.
The current debate centers on two rising stars: Ayush Badoni and Nitish Kumar Reddy. While both offer all-round value, they solve entirely different problems for the captain.
1. Ayush Badoni: The “Mirror” Replacement
Badoni is being considered because he structurally resembles what Sundar provides: a flexible middle-order bat and off-break bowling.
- The Tactical Lever: Badoni’s off-spin is particularly useful against left-handed heavy lineups or on pitches that offer grip. He allows the captain to “squeeze” in an extra batter without completely losing the off-spin match-up.
- The Limitation: Unlike Sundar, Badoni is not yet a “guaranteed” 10-over (ODI) or 4-over (T20) bowler. He is a role enhancer—someone who can bowl two or three tight overs to disrupt rhythm, rather than a frontline bowling option.
2. Nitish Kumar Reddy: The “Functional” Replacement
Reddy might not bowl the same “type” as Sundar, but he arguably replaces his impact on the team sheet more effectively.
- Genuine All-Rounder: Reddy is a batter who can hold the “engine room” (middle order) together and a medium-pace option capable of sharing a heavy workload.
- Workload Management: In an XI featuring two specialist spinners, Reddy provides legitimate seam coverage. On large grounds or tracks where “pace-off” and hard lengths are effective, he offers more predictability than a part-timer.
- Balance: He prevents the XI from leaning too far toward “bowling-heavy” or “batting-heavy,” providing the structural stability Sundar usually offers.
3. Comparison: Shape vs. Function
| Feature | Ayush Badoni | Nitish Kumar Reddy |
| Bowling Type | Off-break (Finger spin) | Medium-fast (Seam) |
| Batting Role | Finisher / Flexible Middle Order | Anchor / Middle Order All-rounder |
| Sundar Similarity | High (Mirroring the spin lane) | Low (Different bowling style) |
| Over Reliability | Part-time / Tactical (1-2 overs) | High / Workhorse (4-10 overs) |
| Best Conditions | Turning tracks, Left-hand heavy oppositions | Flat decks, Seam-friendly, Large outfields |
The Verdict: Who Wins the Spot?
The choice depends entirely on what the team values for a specific match:
- If you want Sundar’s “Shape”: You pick Ayush Badoni. He maintains the spin-heavy balance and gives you a left-field bowling option to plug holes in the middle overs.
- If you want Sundar’s “Function”: You go with Nitish Kumar Reddy. He secures the batting depth and provides a sturdy sixth bowling option, even if the spin control has to be reconstructed through the specialist bowlers.
As of early 2026, Reddy appears to be the “sturdier bet” across formats because his bowling carries more weight at the international level. However, Badoni remains a logical experiment for specific conditions where finger spin is king.