‘Needed a haircut’

Australia debutant Nikhil Chaudhary shared a light-hearted exchange with Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain ahead of their international meeting, revealing that he reached out to his former Big Bash teammate for a personal favour.

Nikhil said that he messaged Rishad as soon as he learned he had been selected for the Bangladesh tour, joking that he needed a haircut and also asked about the weather conditions.

“Yeah, I messaged him when I got to know that I’ll be in the team for the Bangladesh tour. I texted him straight away because I needed the haircut. So I texted him straight away and then asked how hot it is,” Nikhil told Daily Sun on Thursday at the team hotel.

The pair previously shared a dressing room at Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash, and Nikhil said that they have stayed in touch since.

“So yeah, we’ve been chatting here and there. Obviously, he’s a great guy, he’s a legend of a guy,” he said.

Nikhil also reflected on their on-field rivalry, having dismissed Rishad once in the Big Bash while being dismissed by him as well.

“It was great to have his wicket and then he got me out as well, which I thought was a bit controversial. No, but it was always good to catch up with him. He’s a great guy,” he added.