Delhi-born batter creates history with first domestic century in Australia this century

Delhi-born cricketer created history in Australian domestic cricket on Monday (November 24) by becoming the first Indian batter to record a century in Australian domestic cricket in the ongoing 21st century. 

Nikhil Chaudhary scored 163 runs 

Tasmanian middle-order batter Nikhil Chaudhary slammed a big century on the third day of the Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales. The 29-year-old scored 163 off 184 balls with nine fours and five sixes. His batting provided a huge lead for Tasmania as they scored 623/8 before declaration in reply to New South Wales’ first innings total of 391/9 declare.  

Apart from Nikhil Chaudhary, opener Caleb Jewell (102) and the no.3 batter Tim Ward (119) also scored centuries, while Bradley Hope (91) and captain Jordan Silk (56) also scored half-centuries. However, Nikhil Chaudhary caught the special limelight with his big knock in the match.  

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Nikhil Chaudhary previously served for Punjab

The 29-year-old Nikhil Chaudhary was not only born in Delhi, but he also played for the Indian domestic cricket team Punjab and its youth teams. He also had a trial for the IPL team Mumbai Indians. Starting his youth cricket as a fast bowler, Nikhil later became an off-spinner and then a leg-spinner before developing himself as an attacking middle-order batter.  

His cricket life changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he was in Australia on a travel visa. Due to playing regular cricket in the Australian clubs, he caught the eyes of the grooming experts. Nikhil has already experienced the Big Bash League for the Hobert Hurricanes. In his 20 BBL matches, he has recorded 386 runs with an average of 24.12 and a strike rate of 134.02 and also taken nine wickets.  

Nikhil has made his first-class cricket debut this Sheffield Shield season. Before the latest maiden first-class cricket century, Nikhil already recorded a half-century and a fifer in Australian first-class cricket.