Former Punjab cricketer Nikhil Chaudhary, now a prominent figure in Australian cricket, recently opened his home in Hobart to Indian cricket stars Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana. Chaudhary, who once shared the field with Abhishek and Arshdeep during their time playing for Punjab, has bravely embarked on a new chapter in Australia, overcoming significant challenges with the ultimate ambition of representing his adopted country.
This heartwarming reunion occurred just before the third T20I match between India and Australia in Hobart. Chaudhary, who currently showcases his talent for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield and the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League (BBL), shared a memorable photograph with the Indian players, affectionately captioned: “Oh Punjabi aagaye oye.”
The bond between Chaudhary, Abhishek, and Arshdeep runs deep, stemming from their formative years playing together in the Punjab team.
Chaudhary’s path has been one of extraordinary resilience. Once an all-rounder seemingly lost in the fierce competition of India’s domestic circuit, despite having played for Punjab at every age group, he made a life-altering decision during the COVID-19 lockdowns: to remain in Australia. To keep his dream of playing professional cricket alive, he took on various demanding odd jobs, including cutting meat, delivering parcels, and even driving an Uber.
His unwavering perseverance eventually bore fruit. He secured a contract with the Hobart Hurricanes, where he famously showcased his power by hitting Pakistan’s Haris Rauf for a six, celebrating with his signature thigh-five. This year brought another remarkable achievement: a surprise Sheffield Shield debut for Tasmania, an opportunity that arose due to Matthew Kuhnemann’s call-up to the national team. Despite battling a fever on the final day, Chaudhary delivered a heroic unbeaten 76 runs, helping his team secure a crucial draw—all under the watchful eyes of chief selector George Bailey.
With mentorship from experienced players like Matthew Wade and James Hopes, Chaudhary’s red-ball debut truly highlighted his fighting spirit and talent. Now 29, the versatile all-rounder is steadfast in his ambition to represent Australia. As he confidently puts it, “That will happen too, one tick box at a time.”