New Delhi, 11 June (H.S.):

India-born leg-spinning all-rounder Nikhil Chowdhury, who currently represents Tasmania and the Hobart Hurricanes, has received his maiden call-up to Australia’s T20 International squad. The 30-year-old has been drafted into the squad as a replacement for Travis Head, who has been rested.

Chowdhury previously played domestic cricket for Punjab in India. Between 2017 and 2019, he featured in 12 T20 matches and two List A games for the state side. In 2020, he travelled to Australia to visit his uncle, but remained in the country after international borders were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He currently holds a valid temporary visa until 2027. Although he does not yet possess permanent residency or Australian citizenship, ICC eligibility regulations allow him to represent Australia after completing five years of residence in the country.

After moving to Australia, Chowdhury established himself through grade cricket, where his performances caught the attention of former Hobart Hurricanes bowling coach James Hopes. He subsequently secured a contract with the Hurricanes and has impressed over the past three Big Bash League seasons. He played a pivotal role in the Hurricanes’ title-winning 2024–25 campaign.

His strong performances earned him opportunities with Tasmania in both List A and first-class cricket. During the Sheffield Shield season, he registered his maiden first-class century and also claimed his first five-wicket haul.

Australia selector Tony Dodemaide said, as quoted by Cricket Australia, that Chowdhury had been on the national selectors’ radar for a considerable period.

“Nikhil has been part of our long-term planning discussions for some time. He trained with the squad during pre-season camps in Brisbane, and his performances in the Big Bash League have been particularly impressive. We are pleased to provide him with this opportunity at the international level,” Dodemaide said.

He also noted that Chowdhury spent time with the Delhi Capitals franchise during this year’s Indian Premier League season.

Chowdhury will not be the first India-born cricketer to represent Australia’s men’s team. Leg-spinner Rex Sellers, who was born in India, played Test cricket for Australia in 1964. In women’s cricket, former Australia captain Lisa Sthalekar, who was born in Pune, also represented the country with distinction.

The Australian team management hopes that the upcoming tour of Bangladesh will provide Chowdhury with valuable international exposure, and he is expected to be in contention for selection in the opening T20I next week.

Australia are also optimistic that captain Mitchell Marsh will recover from his ankle injury in time for the T20 series. The squad additionally features the returns of Joel Davies, Tim David, Spencer Johnson, Josh Philippe and Aaron Hardie.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar