Nikhil Chaudhary: From Punjab to Cairns, and now Big Bash glory with the Hobart Hurricanes
From the jagged parks of Punjab to the bright lights of the Big Bash, Nikhil Chaudhary has had a whirlwind journey to the Hobart Hurricanes’ inaugural championship.
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In his second season with the Hobart Hurricanes, the Indian-born all-rounder reached the pinnacle of his rising career by lifting the Big Bash League (BBL) championship after a thrilling final in Tasmania.
In front of a crowd of over 15,000 spectators at Bellerive Oval last month, Chaudhary and his teammates secured the Hurricanes’ maiden BBL title after 14 years, led by a sensational century from Mitchell Owen.
Owen’s explosive knock of 108 off just 42 balls, including 11 sixes, helped the Hurricanes chase down Sydney Thunder’s daunting target of 183 — an all-time BBL final record.
The Hurricanes had been in top form at home all season, with a 100% win rate at Bellerive Oval, and this victory was the perfect culmination of their hard work.
As the team revelled in the win, Chaudhary was crucial as both a dynamic middle-order batsman and a wicket-taking leg spinner.
The Early Years in Punjab: A Dream in the Making
Nikhil’s journey began far from the shores of Tasmania, in his hometown of Punjab, India.
At just 12 years old, he was already taking on much older cricketers in his local park.
“I used to play in the local park when I was 12 against 25-year-olds,” Chaudhary said.
“Hitting bowlers out of the park. The older players would put bets on, I was too young to bet but they’d give me a cut if I performed well.”
It was during these formative years that Chaudhary’s passion for cricket was ignited, and he began dreaming of a professional career.
Inspired by the likes of Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli. His admiration for the face of Indian cricket runs deep.
The Indian captain’s work ethic and mentality have always inspired him and Chaudhary has often tried to emulate that approach.
His ambitions grew, and he eventually rose through the ranks to play for Punjab’s first-class team.
It was here that Chaudhary had the privilege of sharing the field with some of India’s biggest stars, including Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh and Shubman Gill.
“Being a 20-year-old playing with Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh, who both played for India for over a decade, was incredible,” Chaudhary said.
“I learnt so much from them, not just on the field but in terms of their preparation, energy and attitude.”
Despite his promising domestic career, he couldn’t crack into the Indian Premier League (IPL) after trials for Mumbai Indians.
However, fate had something else in store for him.
The Cairns Connection: A New Beginning in Australia
In what was meant to be a brief visit to Cairns, Chaudhary found himself stuck in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally intending to stay just over a month with his uncle, Barinderjeet Singh Jhajj, the captain of the Mulgrave Punjabi cricket team.
The border closures stranded him in Far North Queensland for six months.
During his unexpected stay, Chaudhary immersed himself in the local cricket scene, playing for the Mulgrave Punjabi and winning back-to-back titles in the Mulgrave Punjabi and Norths Spicy Bite Super Six tournament at the Walker Road Sporting Precinct.
He relocated to Brisbane to play for the Northern Suburbs District Cricket Club, where he would continue to hone his skills while switching from demon pace to leg spin.
In Brisbane, Chaudhary juggled multiple jobs working as a postman for Australia Post and spent time in a Mexican restaurant along with training in the evenings to keep his dream alive.
His hard work paid off when he started to catch the eye of former Australian cricketer James Hopes, who coached the Northern Suburbs club.
The Call-Up to the Big Leagues
James Hopes, now an assistant coach with the Hobart Hurricanes, saw something special in Chaudhary.
He noticed his aggressive 360-degree hitting and his cunning leg-spin bowling.
Chaudhary can adjust his game to suit the needs of the team, absorbing pressure or clearing the ropes when needed.
Hopes sent Chaudhary’s name to the Hurricanes’ management, and before long, the young all-rounder was handed a contract with the team for the 2023 season.
Chaudhary made his BBL debut with the Hobart Hurricanes in a fierce encounter against the Perth Scorchers, where he slashed 40 runs off 29 balls.
As the season progressed, with an infectious passion and an embrace for the big moments and bright lights, the 28-year old cemented his place in the Hurricanes’ line-up.
“Most players go into a game calm and composed, almost a bit numb. I’m the opposite, I go into the game excited and pumped, that’s when I perform at my best.” he said.
The Hurricanes Brotherhood and Future Ambitions
The camaraderie in the Hurricanes dressing room is another key factor in Chaudhary’s success.
Describing the team as a “family,” he speaks highly of the leadership of international wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who has been a guiding figure for him.
“We get together outside of training all the time, and Matthew Wade is always there to give advice when I need it,” Chaudhary said. “It’s a positive environment to be a part of.”
As the Hurricanes claimed their maiden BBL title, Chaudhary’s remarkable journey reached its pinnacle with the all-rounder signing a new three-year deal with the champions in January.
The future looks bright for both him and the team. “I’m so excited to extend with the Hurricanes,” he said in January.
“There was no question if I wanted to re-sign with the team that gave me an opportunity, and we are building something very special down here.”
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Originally published as Nikhil Chaudhary: From Punjab to Cairns, and now Big Bash glory with the Hobart Hurricanes
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