Nikhil Chaudhary (cricketer)

Nikhil Chaudhary
Personal information
Born (1996-05-04) 4 May 1996 (age 28)
Delhi, India
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm Off break
RoleAll-Rounder
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2016/17–2018/19Punjab
2023/24–Hobart Hurricanes
Career statistics
Competition T20 List A
Matches 21 2
Runs scored 260 25
Batting average 21.66 25.00
100s/50s 0/1 0/0
Top score 58 14*
Balls bowled 270 66
Wickets 12 1
Bowling average 29.00 61.00
5 wickets in innings – 0
10 wickets in match – 0
Best bowling 3/36 1/32
Catches/stumpings 7/– 0/–
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 29 December 2023

Nikhil Chaudhary (born 4 May 1996) is an Indian-Australian cricketer. He currently plays in the Big Bash League (BBL) for the Hobart Hurricanes. He is only the second India-born cricketer to play in the BBL, following Unmukt Chand.[1]

Early life

Chaudhary was born in Delhi, India.[2] Chaudhary moved to Punjab in his early years.[1] Initially aspiring to be a fast bowler, he later shifted to offspin and ultimately to legspin, while also developing as an aggressive batsman.[1]

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.[1]

His career took a turn when he was stranded in Brisbane during the COVID-19 pandemic while he was on a travel visa.[1] During this period, he actively participated in club cricket, gaining notice for his performance, especially in a semi-final where he hit seven sixes.[1] The performance led to his inclusion in the BBL after a recommendation from a local coach.[1] 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.[1]

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 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.[7][8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "From Punjab to Big Bash, the journey of big-hitting Nikhil Chaudhary". ESPNcricinfo.
  2. ^ "Nikhil Chaudhary". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  3. ^ "Inter State Twenty-20 Tournament, North Zone: Haryana v Punjab at Nadaun, Jan 29, 2017". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  4. ^ Cherny, Daniel (7 November 2023). "BBL 2023: Hobart Hurricanes sign Nikhil Chaudhary and Sam Heazlett". The Toowoomba Chronicle. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  5. ^ Bevis, Jacob (7 November 2023). "Hurricanes recruit big hitting duo in a bid for consistency". The Advocate. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  6. ^ Rosendale, Ryan (1 December 2023). "Hobart Hurricanes recruit Nikhil Chaudhary to debut in CTPL for Glenorchy". The Mercury. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Big Bash cricketer stands trial for allegedly raping woman outside nightclub". ABC News. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Hobart Hurricanes player found not guilty of rape in Townsville trial". ABC News. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.