It’s not too often that you get to see Indian players participating in other franchise cricket leagues across the world, because of the contracts that they have in place with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). And at the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia, there have barely ever been Indian cricketers, with Unmukt Chand creating history by debuting for Melbourne Renegades a few seasons ago.
Now in the KFC BBL 2023-24 season, today’s Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes game at the Perth Stadium saw a couple of debutants in the limelight. For Hurricanes, Billy Stanlake debuted alongside Indian-born Nikhil Chaudhary. Everyone’s wondering who is Nikhil Chaudhary and how he made his way from Delhi in India, to playing for Hobart in the Big Bash League.
Who is Hobart Hurricanes’ Nikhil Chaudhary BBL?
The right-hand batsman and off-break bowler has played for Punjab in India right from the U-16 team to the U-19 and U-22 teams as well. The 27-year old played 2 List A games for Punjab along with 12 T20 games, making his debut for Punjab in 2017. However, his last games in India were played in 2019, where he was a vital member of the squad in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019.
Two debutants for @HurricanesBBL! 🌀
Congrats Billy Stanlake and Nikhil Chaudhary! #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/VJtwH3LUKC
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 20, 2023
From there began his journey towards playing cricket professionally in Australia. He ventured out to Brisbane in 2020 and decided to leave everything else behind to make a career in Australia. Earlier this year, he went from playing local cricket to being signed by the Hobart Hurricanes in the very popular, Big Bash League.
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And it didn’t take too long for him to be picked in the starting eleven too, debuting today, 20th December 2023. He’s been known for his agile fielding and big hitting skills, while bowling handy off-spinners too. After a collapse early on with the bat, he came in the middle order and helped gain some stability in the middle order on debut. See how he hit the ball in today’s debut BBL game:
That sound off the bat! 😍 #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/2hngGcUnPc
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 20, 2023
His record may not be great in the Indian circuit but he’s been impressing one and all in Australia in the last couple of years. His big hitting was certainly on display on debut, smashing the Perth bowlers all around the park, even after his team lost a few early wickets. Expect to see much more of Nikhil Chaudhary BBL in the next few weeks and months.
For similar updates from the Big Bash League and other cricketing updates from around the world, stay tuned to ReadScoops.com…
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