India-born all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary has received his maiden call-up to Australia’s T20 International squad, completing a remarkable journey from domestic cricket in India to the national team setup in Australia.
The 30-year-old Tasmania and Hobart Hurricanes leg-spinning all-rounder has been added to Australia’s squad for the upcoming T20 series against Bangladesh as a replacement for the rested Travis Head.
Born in India, Chaudhary represented Punjab in domestic cricket between 2017 and 2019, playing 12 T20 matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and two List A matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy before his life took an unexpected turn.
He travelled to Australia in 2020 to visit family in Queensland just as international borders closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Remaining in Australia, he began playing grade cricket in Brisbane, where his performances caught the attention of then Hobart Hurricanes bowling coach James Hopes.
That opportunity proved career-changing.
Over the past three seasons, Chaudhary has become one of the most exciting players in the Big Bash League, playing a crucial role in Hobart Hurricanes’ maiden BBL title-winning campaign in 2024-25. His explosive batting and handy leg-spin also earned him opportunities with Tasmania, where he has since made both his List A and Sheffield Shield debuts.
His rise continued last season when he scored his maiden Sheffield Shield century and claimed his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, strengthening his case for national selection.
Australian selector Tony Dodemaide said Chaudhary had been on Cricket Australia’s radar for some time.
“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.”
Dodemaide added that the Bangladesh tour would provide valuable experience for Chaudhary and potentially an opportunity to make his international debut.
Although Chaudhary does not yet hold Australian citizenship, he qualifies to represent Australia under ICC eligibility regulations after residing in the country for more than five years. He currently holds a temporary visa valid until 2027.
His selection marks a significant milestone for Australia’s multicultural sporting landscape.
Chaudhary is set to become one of the few India-born cricketers to represent Australia at international level. The last India-born male cricketer to play for Australia was Rex Sellers, who appeared in a lone Test match against India in Kolkata in 1964. Among women, former Australian captain Lisa Sthalekar, who was born in Pune, enjoyed a distinguished international career, representing Australia 187 times across formats.
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