Who is Nikhil Chaudhary? The cricketer who hosted India stars ahead of third T20I in Hobart | Cricket News
Nikhil Chaudhary, former Punjab cricketer, who is not settled in Australia and plays for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield and for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League (BBL) hosted Indian cricketers Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana ahead of the third T20I to be played between India and Australia in Hobart. Chaudhary posted the photo with a caption “Oh Punjabi aagaye oye.”Chaudhary had played with Abhishek and Arshdeep in Punjab team.Click here to check the Nikhil Chaudhary’s Instagram postA former Punjab all-rounder, Chaudhary had once been lost in India’s domestic shuffle despite representing Punjab in every age group. When the Covid lockdowns ended, he made a life-changing decision — to stay back in Australia. Struggling to survive, he took up odd jobs — cutting meat, delivering parcels, even driving an Uber — all while keeping his cricket dreams alive.His perseverance paid off when he earned a Hobart Hurricanes contract, where he famously hit Pakistan’s Haris Rauf for a six and celebrated with a thigh-five. This year, he got a surprise Sheffield Shield debut for Tasmania after Matthew Kuhnemann’s call-up to the national team. Despite battling fever on the final day, Chaudhary scored a heroic unbeaten 76* to help his team draw the match — under the watchful eyes of chief selector George Bailey.
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What do you think about Nikhil Chaudhary’s decision to stay in Australia for his cricket career?
Guided by veterans like Matthew Wade and James Hopes, Chaudhary’s red-ball debut showcased his fighting spirit. Now 29, the all-rounder dreams of representing Australia. “That will happen too, one tick box at a time,” he has told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive iteraction.
