‘I'm closer to Australian culture than Indian culture’

Australia all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary has taken one of the most unconventional routes to international cricket. Born in India and having played domestic cricket for Punjab, Nikhil moved to Australia in 2020 after getting stranded there during the Covid-19 pandemic while visiting his uncle. What began as an accidental stay turned into a life-changing journey, from Brisbane grade cricket to the Big Bash and now the Australian national team.

In this interview with Daily Sun after his debut against Bangladesh, Nikhil speaks about his long road to the top, adjusting to Australian culture, working regular jobs while chasing cricket, and learning from senior players on the international stage. He also opens up about his connection with Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, with whom he shared a dressing room at the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash last season.

daily sun : Nikhil, tell us about the debut. What was that moment like when you came on to bowl or when you went out in the middle for Australia?

Nikhil Chaudhary: It was obvious, we always dream of playing for Australia and it actually happened yesterday. With this gun crew, I was a bit confident about actually going into the field and after that first catch, I was even more confident that I can actually do something on the international stage.

daily sun : And playing in the subcontinent, obviously you've grown up in India and you've played cricket there. The crowd and the atmosphere, did it remind you of home a little bit?

Nikhil: Yeah, obviously when I was playing for Punjab in domestic, we had big names in the team like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, so there was always a big crowd in every game. Even if it's a domestic game, people would turn up to watch them. So yeah, obviously it reminded me of the huge crowd and how loud they can be. And they were actually nice. They were just saying my name and trying to talk to me, and I was just having some fun with them, which was good.

daily sun : When the squad was announced, it must have been a very emotional moment for you as well…

Nikhil: So we had some camps in Brisbane, probably like four camps before the series, but I wasn't in the squad at that time. And then I think Travis (Head) took a leave to stay in Australia, obviously to spend more time with his family. I was in Belgium at that time when Tony (Dodemaide) called me regarding the selection. So yeah, I was just playing cricket as I do. I just go all around the world to play cricket, but it was probably the best moment of my life to actually hear from the Australian selector that I've been called up for the series.

daily sun : Was it very difficult for you to cope with the Australian culture coming to Australia?

Nikhil:  No, that's why I actually moved because I think I'm closer to Australian culture than Indian culture. People here are very straightforward. They are very real with you, which I love. And then obviously when someone's straightforward, it's actually easy to talk to them, live with them, and cherish all the memories. And yeah, it wasn't difficult for me and I had good people around me when I moved to Australia, so it wasn't tough for me.

daily sun : Take us back to 2020 when you were stuck in COVID. Talk us through that time. You went to Australia to see your uncle, I guess. Tell us about the story.

Nikhil: Yeah, it was my birthday plan. So from March to May, I already had my return tickets for India. I just went for holiday. My uncle was there. Yeah, so I got stuck in March. COVID happened. I probably got stuck for six months and then the next wave came on. So I got stuck for another three months and then obviously I started playing for Norths in Brisbane. I met James Hopes that time. He was actually very excited about me. He gave my name to a couple of franchises in the Big Bash and eventually I got the contract for Hobart Hurricanes in 2023 

daily sun : I read somewhere that you also work for Australia Post. You had held a few jobs as well. How did that help you as a cricketer?

Nikhil: It helps you a lot. When you go through that, and it's not just me, it's the whole of Australia. So I just made it my profession. I used to train before going to work, I used to train after work. So that's why I was a bit calm yesterday as well because I've probably seen worse times in my life, away from cricket. So when you come into the cricket which you actually love, you don't feel that much pressure.

daily sun : What kind of mindset do you carry when you come over to this part of the world? I mean, bowling-wise.

Nikhil: Obviously, it helps you as a spinner. Even yesterday, when you get spin and a bit of a slow wicket, it's actually easier for spinners to bowl on those wickets. And obviously with the breeze just going one way, I was actually bowling from the hard end as well, but a bit of spin and a bit of a slow wicket actually helps you as a spinner. 

daily sun : Adam Zampa was saying that he communicated with you how to bowl. How does his experience help?

Nikhil: Oh, a lot. I keep asking him a lot of questions because obviously, in the initial stages, you have to ask a lot of questions with the seniors. He just got 150 T20 wickets, which is not an easy thing to do, especially nowadays because it's more of a batter's format now, the T20. So he's been great for Australia and I'm going to get as much as I can, the knowledge from him.