Nikhil Chaudhary earns maiden Australia callup

Delhi-born allrounder Nikhil Chaudhary, who used to play domestic cricket for Punjab, has received his first Australia call-up after being added to the squad for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. He replaces Travis Head, who was picked in both limited-overs squads for the tour but remains unavailable due to personal reasons.

The 30-year-old leg-spinning allrounder is set to join the squad in Dhaka ahead of the series, which begins in Chattogram on June 17. Chaudhary was part of Australia's standby group and trained with the squad in Brisbane before the team left for the tour.

Chaudhary played for Punjab between 2017 and 2019 before a trip to Australia in 2020 coincided with the COVID-19 border closures. He has since settled in the country and progressed through the domestic ranks. Although he is not yet an Australian citizen, he is eligible to represent Australia under ICC rules after completing the required five-year residency period.

He played a key role in Hobart Hurricanes' BBL title-winning campaign in 2024-25 and has since impressed for Tasmania. Last season, he scored his maiden Sheffield Shield hundred and took his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. If he plays in Bangladesh, he will become the first India-born men's cricketer to represent Australia in over 60 years.

"Nikhil has been a player of national interest for some time," selector Tony Dodemaide said. "The panel has been impressed by his BBL form, particularly last season, leading to his addition to the squad. He has also been part of the Delhi Capitals setup in this year's IPL.

"Nikhil will gain invaluable experience in Bangladesh and will be in contention to play his first game for Australia when we sit down to pick a team for the opening T20 fixture here next week."

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