‘I just wanted to play cricket’ – Nikhil Chaudhary on representing Australia and 2027 ODI World Cup dream

Nikhil Chaudhary made his Australia T20I debut on June 17, 2026, in a match against Bangladesh at Chattogram. The 30-year-old all-rounder from Delhi became the first Indian-born male to represent Australia in over six decades. Chaudhary holds permanent residency status in Australia, which made him eligible to play for the country at international level. His selection marked a significant milestone in Australian cricket, opening doors for cricketers with Indian heritage to represent the nation.

In the Sheffield Shield season of 2025-26, Chaudhary accumulated 393 runs at an average of 32.75, with a best score of 163. He also took a five-wicket haul against Queensland in October and scored a century against New South Wales in November. These performances in domestic cricket established his credentials before his international debut and demonstrated his all-round capabilities across both batting and bowling disciplines.

“It doesn’t really matter to me because I just wanted to play cricket. If you see, most players never get to represent their country. They finish their careers playing domestic cricket. Some move to another country to play club cricket. So, if you love cricket, you just want to play cricket; it doesn’t matter for whom,” said Chaudhary as quoted by ESPN.

“I want to play 50-over cricket and, if I get a chance, Tests too. My first target is the 2027 ODI World Cup, and then the T20 World Cup the following year. I want to represent Australia for as long as I can,” he added.

His targets and ambitions in international cricket

Chaudhary’s immediate focus centres on establishing himself in the 50-over format, with the 2027 ODI World Cup serving as his primary objective. His ambitions extend beyond that tournament to the T20 World Cup in 2028, reflecting a long-term commitment to Australian cricket across multiple formats. The all-rounder’s approach demonstrates a structured pathway to international success rather than viewing his T20I debut as the culmination of his career.

“My plan has always been the same: work hard, give your best, and try to make your team win. Whatever opportunity you get, you try to perform,” said Chaudhary.

The influence of coach Charanjit Bhangu

Coach Charanjit Bhangu has been instrumental in shaping Chaudhary’s cricket career and professional approach. Bhangu, who runs the Cricket Galaxy academy in Ludhiana, Punjab, has guided Chaudhary since he was 13 years old, teaching him not only cricket skills but also the discipline and mindset required to succeed at the highest level.

“My coach has played a huge role in my career. Just like one has parents in life, he is like a parent to me in cricket. I was around 13 when I first met him. He taught me not only cricket but also how to live life as a professional cricketer. That helped me a lot,” said Chaudhary.

“As a coach, your biggest dream is that your student plays at international level. Nikhil followed my advice right from the start and has now made me proud. Now my dream is that my other student, Nehal Wadhera, also plays for India, and one day, he and Nikhil face off against each other and I go to the stadium wearing a jersey that is half-Indian, half-Australian,” he concluded.