From Punjab to Hobart: Nikhil Chaudhary talks about his incredible journey

Here’s how COVID had a positive outcome on a sports person

Only the second-ever Indian born cricketer to play in Australia’s star-studded T20 league, the Big Bash League (BBL), Nikhil Chaudhary, who currently plays for Hobart Hurricanes shared the story about his journey from Punjab to the BBL through a candid talk with Indian sports anchor Tanay Tiwari on the Parimatch Sports’ Instagram channel. 

Chaudhary kicked off the discussion by sharing an interesting story about how he moved to Australia, which happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, as he was in the country at the time for vacation and was stuck Down Under for a couple of months. 

With COVID halting cricket back in India, Chaudhary saw an opportunity in Australia, where the game resumed by September 2020. Along with a mutual love for Australian culture, Chaudhary decided to pursue the game in Australia. Prior to his move to Australia, Chaudhary was a regular in the domestic circuit in India. 

During a special segment of the interview, Chaudhary also revealed about making his debut for Punjab in 2016 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy against Haryana, playing his first game under Harbhajan Singh. He also spoke about how former Australian cricketer James Hopes recommended his name to the Hobart Hurricanes, which led to the team keeping an eye on the Indian player before signing him as a Local Player in 2023. 

Chaudhary also spoke about the cultural change he faced in Australia moving from India. Chaudhary states how despite having multiple international stars in the Hurricanes lineup, the environment is welcoming for all. He did state that he was nervous when he initially joined and also how he’s kept his roots from Punjab alive. Chaudhary spoke about how his Hurricanes teammates Tim David and Ben McDermott calls him Paaji and Bhai, making him feel at home. He mentioned how playing in the IPL has helped the foreign players embrace Indian culture.

‘You won’t believe it, I literally call Tim David ‘Paaji’ and he calls me ‘Paaji’. 

Talking about his journey, he shared how his family understood about his plans of playing in Australia. Chaudhary revealed that in the three years prior to joining the Hurricanes, he worked three jobs including with Australia Post and UberEats. Chaudhary spoke about how during his days with UberEats, he was on way to pick up a delivery when his manager called him and informed him that Hobart Hurricanes had signed him.

‘Have a dream and work on it. It won’t happen unless you’re getting out of your bed and working on it”

Chaudhary speaking about his message those struggling

Talking about playing cricket in India and then Australia, Chaudhary spoke about how he started off in the ‘third grade’ level in Australia, playing with the retirees and youngsters, where he impressed everyone which saw him rise directly to the ‘first grade’. Chaudhary was spotted by James Hopes and recommended to the Hurricanes. 

He also said that he’s looking to play for Australia and has given himself a three-year deadline to hit his goals. Speaking about playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Chaudhary said he’s working hard and when it happens, it will happen but playing for Australia is his main focus along with doing well for Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL. 

He also shared that he would love to play for RCB in the IPL, as Bengaluru is his second favourite city in India and also with him being a big fan of Virat Kohli. Chaudhary spoke about playing in the junior leagues with Rishabh Pant and Arshdeep Singh, growing up and how the two are close friends.

‘I’m really looking forward to what he (Nitish Kumar Reddy) can do for India”

Chaudhary on Nitish Kumar Reddy and how he thinks he will be a key all-format player for India moving ahead

Chaudhary spoke about his famous ‘thigh-five’ celebration, stating how he is a big kabaddi fan and the celebration was something he would do in the club games as well. He said the celebration is just a message of promoting his culture and something he enjoys.