BBL 2023-2024: Who's Nikhil Chaudhary? - Everything you need to know about second Indian cricketer to feature in BBL

Indian descent all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary is making headlines with his brilliant performances in Australia’s premier domestic T20 competition Big Bash League (BBL) 2023-24 playing for Hobart Hurricanes. The 27-year-old has batted just thrice in the season so far having knocks of 40 (31), a quick-fire 32 (16) and 55 (38). With the ball, he’s scalped four wickets in nine overs at an average of 18.75 and an economy of 8.33.

Notably, the cricketer hailing from Ludhiana, Punjab, is only the second Indian to play in the BBL after Unmukt Chand. Chaudhary was born in Delhi but his family moved to Ludhiana when he was just two years old. His first training came under coach Charanjit Banghu who took notice of his all-round skills and honed him.

Through his brilliant performances for Punjab U-16s and U-19s, Chaudhary went on to make his List-A debut in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and even plied his trade in T20s in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2017 under Harbhajan Singh's captaincy. The Delhi-born cricketer was aiming for a Ranji Trophy debut and went for a holiday in Brisbane in March 2020.

However, with the travel restrictions worldwide due to COVID-19, Chaudhary had to stay a little longer in Australia which led to him playing cricket in the country as he got selected for Southern Suburbs Brisbane. He even got picked as a replacement player for the Brisbane Heat for two seasons but could never make his debut in the BBL.

Also Check: Hobart Hurricanes' Nikhil Chaudhary sends Haris Rauf sailing over backward point

Notably, it was former Australia seamer and Southern Suburbs coach James Hopes who had recommended his name for Hobart Hurricanes in the ongoing BBL season. He was working as a delivery boy in Australia Post to make ends meet prior to his BBL contract.

In the ongoing season, Chaudhary came to limelight with his sensational six against Haris Rauf over point during the game against Melbourne Stars. The spin all-rounder even got to meet his childhood hero Brett Lee with whom he even talked in Hindi during an in-game chat.

I started playing cricket and copied Brett Lee's action: Nikhil Chaudhary

"I started as a fast bowler when I started playing cricket and copied Lee's action. I wanted to become an accomplished quickie like him. However, it did not last long and I eventually became leggie. I am enjoying playing in the BBL after toiling hard in Australia for three-and-a-half years. Me and Lee chatted during an interaction in Hindi as well," Chaudhary was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Also Check: 'Nikhil, Brett Lee here, aap kaise ho?' - Australian legend converses with Nikhil Chaudhary in Hindi to perfection during BBL2023-24

Chaudhary even tried his best to be a part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he participated in the Mumbai Indians (MI) trials twice but failed to get picked. In the 18 T20 matches of his career, he has scored 233 runs at a strike rate of 140.36 and has scalped 11 wickets at an average of 26.