Nikhil Chaudhary (cricketer)
Australian cricketer (born 1996)
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Nikhil Chaudhary (born 4 May 1996) is an India-born Australian cricketer who plays for Tasmania, Hobart Hurricanes and the Washington Freedom. In June 2026, he earned his maiden call-up to the Australia national cricket team and made his international debut during the T20I series in Bangladesh. He is also the second India-born cricketer to feature in the Big Bash League.
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 4 May 1996 Delhi, India | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm off break | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Role | All-rounder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National side |
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| T20I debut (cap 117) | 17 June 2026 v Bangladesh | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last T20I | 19 June 2026 v Bangladesh | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016/17–2019/20 | Punjab | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023/24–present | Hobart Hurricanes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025/26–present | Tasmania | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026–present | JB Bruges | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026–present | Washington Freedom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: ESPNcricinfo, 21 June 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Early life
Domestic career
By 2017, Chaudhary had emerged in Indian domestic cricket as a batting all-rounder. He made his Twenty20 debut for Punjab in the 2016–17 Inter State Twenty-20 Tournament on 29 January 2017.[3] Despite training under cricketers such as Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh in Punjab, his career in India did not lead to an IPL selection, with unsuccessful trials at Mumbai Indians.[2]
His career took a turn when he was stranded in Brisbane during the COVID-19 pandemic while he was on a travel visa.[2] During this period, he actively participated in club cricket, gaining notice for his performance, especially in a semi-final where he hit seven sixes.[2] The performance led to his inclusion in the BBL after a recommendation from a local coach.[2] During this period, he also worked various jobs in Brisbane, including a brief period at a Mexican restaurant and a longer tenure as a courier with Australia Post to support himself.[2]
In 2023, after playing grade cricket in Brisbane,[4] Chaudhary joined the Hobart Hurricanes of the Big Bash League for the 2023–24 season.[5][6]
In January 2025, Chaudhary was part of the Hurricanes squad that won the 2024–25 Big Bash League final.
International career
On 11 June 2026, Chaudhary received his maiden international call-up when he was added to Australia's T20I squad for their three-match tour of Bangladesh, replacing Travis Head, who withdrew due to personal leave.[7][8]
Although he does not hold Australian citizenship, he is a permanent resident who meets the ICC's eligibility criteria through residency.[9] Chaudhary made his debut in the first match of the series, making him the first India-born male cricketer to represent Australia internationally in over 60 years, since leg-spinner Rex Sellers in 1964.[10]
Legal issues
In March 2024, Chaudhary stood trial in the District Court of Queensland on a charge of raping a woman in his car in Townsville in 2021, and was found not guilty. The Hobart Hurricanes said they were unaware of the charges before the trial started.[11][12]