Delhi-born all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary is in line to become the first Indian-born man to represent Australia in international cricket since 1964 after being named in the country’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh.
The 30-year-old earned his maiden call-up after Australia drafted him into the squad as a replacement for Travis Head, who has been granted personal leave. While Chaudhary is yet to play international cricket, his performances for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League and Tasmania in domestic cricket have pushed him into national selection calculations.
WHO IS NIKHIL CHAUDHARY?
Born and raised in Delhi, Chaudhary began his career in India and represented Punjab in domestic cricket. He featured in 14 white-ball matches for the state side, sharing the dressing room with players such as Harbhajan Singh, Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma. He also had a trial stint with Mumbai Indians before his career took a different direction.
His move to Australia came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chaudhary had traveled to Queensland to visit his uncle, but international travel restrictions extended his stay and opened up an opportunity to pursue cricket in Australia. Over the next few years, he worked his way through the domestic ranks and established himself as a regular performer for Tasmania and the Hobart Hurricanes.
Chaudhary played a role in Hobart Hurricanes’ BBL title-winning campaign and enjoyed his most productive season with the bat last summer. He scored 307 runs at an average of 30.70 and a strike rate of 153. While his bowling opportunities were reduced following the arrival of wrist-spinners Rehan Ahmed and Rishad Hossain, he continued to contribute as a bowling all-rounder.
His rise was not limited to the T20 format. Chaudhary secured his first Tasmania state contract after an impressive debut Sheffield Shield season, highlighted by a century against New South Wales and a five-wicket haul against Queensland.
Interestingly, despite growing up on spin-friendly pitches in India, Chaudhary has enjoyed greater success against pace bowling in Australia. During the most recent BBL season, he struck at 180 against seamers, well above his overall career strike rate against pace, while his returns against spin have been comparatively modest.
Although he is yet to obtain Australian citizenship, Chaudhary holds permanent residency and fulfills the International Cricket Council’s eligibility requirements to represent Australia.
Australia selector Tony Dodemaide said Chaudhary had been under consideration for some time.
“Nikhil has been a player of national interest for some time. He was a standby player for this tour, joining the squad at pre-season camps in Brisbane and comes in as a replacement for Travis Head,” Dodemaide said.
“The panel has been impressed by his BBL form, particularly last season, leading to his addition to the squad. He has also been part of the Delhi Capitals setup in this year’s IPL.
“Nikhil will gain invaluable experience in Bangladesh and will be in contention to play his first game for Australia when we sit down to pick a team for the opening T20 fixture here next week.”
If selected in the playing XI, Chaudhary will become the first Indian-born man to play international cricket for Australia in more than six decades, adding another chapter to a journey that began in Delhi and has taken him to the brink of a debut for the reigning world champions.
Australia will face Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series in Chattogram, with the games scheduled for June 17, 19 and 21.
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