Delhi-born Nikhil Chaudhary named in Australia's T20 squad for Bangladesh series
Spin-bowling all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary, born in Delhi, has been named in Australia's T20I squad for a three-match series against Bangladesh in Chattogram from June 17–21, 2026. The 30-year-old, who holds Australian permanent residency and meets ICC eligibility criteria, is the first Indian-born male cricketer to feature in an Australian national squad since Rex Sellars played in the 1964 Calcutta Test. His selection marks a historically significant moment in Australian cricket and could see him make his international debut next week.
Nikhil Chaudhary, a Delhi-born spin-bowling all-rounder, was named in Australia's T20I squad on June 11, 2026, for the upcoming three-match series against Bangladesh in Chattogram. National selector Tony Dodemaide cited Chaudhary's Big Bash League performances — particularly his 307 runs at an average of 30.70 and a strike rate of 153 last season while helping Hobart Hurricanes win the BBL|14 title — as the primary reason for his selection. Chaudhary's path to Australian cricket is an unlikely one: a 2020 visit to his uncle in Queensland was extended indefinitely due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, during which he worked various jobs including as a postman before former Australia all-rounder James Hopes spotted his talent and introduced him to local cricket. Although not yet an Australian citizen, his permanent residency status satisfies ICC eligibility requirements. He previously played 14 List-A matches for Punjab in Indian domestic cricket and is currently representing JB Bruges in Belgium's EUT20 competition, as well as having been part of the Delhi Capitals' IPL setup. The last Indian-born male to play for Australia was Gujarat-born leg-spinner Rex Sellars in 1964, making Chaudhary's potential debut a landmark moment; women's cricket great Lisa Sthalekar, born in Pune, represented Australia between 2003 and 2013 but the men's side has not featured an Indian-born player in over six decades.
What's missing
No details are provided about whether he has formally relinquished eligibility to play for India or any other nation under ICC transfer-of-allegiance rules.
What different sources said
- Times of IndiaCenter
Delhi-born Nikhil Chaudhary earns maiden Australia call-up for Bangladesh T20Is
- The HinduCenter
First in six decades, India-born Nikhil Chaudhary added to Australia's T20 squad
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