Delhi-born uncapped spinner Nikhil Chaudhary is set for a potential Australia debut after being named as a replacement for Travis Head, who withdrew from the upcoming T20 International (T20I) series against Bangladesh on personal leave.
If picked in playing XI, the 30-year-old Chaudhary would become the first India-born male cricketer to represent Australia at the international level since leg-spinner Rex Sellers in 1964. The Australia Bangladesh T20I series will be started from June 17 in Chattogram
Born in Delhi, Chaudhary moved to Australia in the early part of the decade and has since developed his cricketing career across domestic and franchise circuits. He currently plays for JB Bruges in Belgium in the EUT20 competition and has also been associated with the Delhi Capitals setup in the IPL. He previously featured in 14 limited-overs matches for Punjab at the domestic level, where he played alongside cricketers including Harbhajan Singh, Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma.
Australia selector Tony Dodemaide said Chaudhary had been on the selectors’ radar for some time and was initially part of the standby group for the tour. He added that the leg-spin all-rounder had impressed with his performances in the Big Bash League and had also participated in pre-season camps in Brisbane. According to Dodemaide, Chaudhary’s recent form and exposure in franchise cricket contributed to his selection, and he is now in contention for a debut in the opening T20I against Bangladesh.
The three-match T20I series will be played entirely in Chattogram. The first match is scheduled for June 17, followed by the second on June 19 and the final T20I on June 21.