In his inaugural Big Bash League (BBL) season, 27-year-old Nikhil Chaudhary is showcasing his talent with the Hobart Hurricanes. The Indian all-rounder, known for his unorthodox leg-spin, has contributed with quick scores of 40 and 32, along with claiming three wickets. This BBL season marks his return to competitive cricket since 2019, following his move to Australia in 2020 from Punjab.
Born on May 4, 1996, in Delhi, India, Chaudhary's early shift to Punjab laid the foundation for his cricketing ambitions. Originally aspiring to be a fast bowler, he later transitioned to off-spin and eventually leg-spin, while refining his skills as an aggressive batter.
Chaudhary made his T20 cricket debut for Punjab in the 2016-17 Inter-State Twenty-20 Tournament on January 29, 2017, playing under the captaincy of Harbhajan Singh. Despite showcasing potential in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and training with cricket legends like Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan, Chaudhary did not secure a spot in the IPL, even after trials with the Mumbai Indians (MI).
In March 2020, the 27-year-old travelled to Brisbane for a holiday but found himself stranded in Australia due to the global pandemic and travel restrictions.
Despite the unexpected circumstances, he persevered, taking on various jobs such as working at a Mexican restaurant and serving as a courier for Australia Post. Throughout this period, Chaudhary remained committed to his cricketing ambitions, playing club cricket for Northern Suburbs, where his talent caught the attention of former Australian cricketer James Hopes.
It comes as no surprise that Chaudhary is a huge fan of Virat Kohli.
“For sure man. I am a big fan of his aggression, and obviously skills. But how good he is a cricketer. I have been totally following him for the last 10 years. And he has been growing and growing,” Chaudhary told Hobart Hurricanes in an interview.
James Hopes' recommendation played a crucial role in Chaudhary earning a sought-after contract with the Hobart Hurricanes. His debut in the BBL distinguished him as the second cricketer born in India to play in the league, following former India U19 captain Unmukt Chand.
LEARNING FROM TIM DAVID
Chaudhary, aiming to establish himself as a reliable finisher in the BBL, is enjoying the chance to gain insights from his Hurricanes teammate and MI standout, Tim David. Nikhil shared how David, the powerful Australian batter, made him feel welcome, even sending a text after he joined the team.
"I've been talking to him from last couple months now, when I signed the contract, he messaged me straight away and he was like, 'let's do this boy'. It's pretty great … learning from him," Nikhil said, as quoted by cricket.com.au.
"He's one of the best finishers and hitters in this world right now and his experience speaks for itself; he's been with the Mumbai Indians for the last couple of years."
Hobart, led by Chaudhary, experienced a varied beginning to the BBL 13 season, securing victories in three matches and facing defeats in three matches. On January 7, the Hurricanes competed against Brisbane Heat at the Gabba.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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