Indian-born Australian cricketer Nikhil Chaudhary is geared up for a thrilling debut at the ExxonMobil Global Super League (GSL) in Guyana with the reigning Big Bash League (BBL) champions, the Hobart Hurricanes XI.
With the GSL gathering champions from top T20 leagues across the globe, the stage is set for a festival of elite cricket — and for Chaudhary, it’s a platform that could redefine his career. The right-arm all-rounder is buzzing with anticipation, embracing the grind and eyeing an exciting and life-changing tournament debut.
“My preparation in the off-season is pretty much more about fitness than the skills because we’ve been doing the skills the whole year, so these couple of months or three months are all about the fitness so we can go through the season without having any injuries,” Chaudhary stated.
A decade of quiet, consistent work fuels Chaudhary’s game plan — simplicity and awareness at the crease.
“My preparation is very simple; I have been doing this for the last 10 years… So, simple preparation: just watch the ball and hit the ball. Maybe it can be a bit different in Guyana because obviously there’s a bit more spin there, a bit more turn, so the sweeps might be coming in too much there.”
Though yet to make his international debut, Chaudhary’s value lies in his versatility — a flexible asset for the Hurricanes across formats and positions.
“My place in Hobart Hurricanes is not that simple… I can bowl the powerplay overs; I can bowl in the middle, or it can be at the end. Same with the batting. I did numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 last year… I can really do all the aspects in the game.”
After tasting international exposure in the 2024 Abu Dhabi T10, where he rubbed shoulders with stars like Rovman Powell, Shadab Khan, and Dwayne Bravo, Chaudhary’s appetite for growth has only intensified.
“It was amazing… I’m a big learner of the game, so I keep learning so I can just put those things into my game in the future.”
With 20 BBL appearances and nine wickets already under his belt, Chaudhary has his eyes set on soaking up wisdom from leg-spin maestro Imran Tahir at the GSL.
“Tahir has been one of the best leg spinners in white ball we have seen in the last, what, 10 years? … I want to learn from him… how to bowl different balls to the different batsmen.”
Among the many things he’s looking forward to in Guyana, the electric pace of teammate Riley Meredith tops his list.
“I am really looking forward to seeing Riley Meredith coming in and bowling super rapid. What he has done in the Big Bash for us, getting those quick wickets at the start, is what you want in T20s.”
Off the pitch, there’s plenty about Guyana that excites the 29-year-old former Punjab player — including the country’s famous gold chains.
“It’s an amazing place. I’ve been hearing from Tim David and (Ben) McDermott about Guyana. All my gold chains are from India, but Chris Jordan gets his from Guyana. So really looking forward to those experiences. Maybe I can get one more chain there, and that’ll be my fourth one.”
The Hobart Hurricanes XI will be just the second Australian side to feature in the GSL, following Cricket Victoria’s runner-up finish to the Rangpur Riders in the 2024 inaugural season. Their GSL journey kicks off July 11 against ILT20 champions Dubai Capitals, with the final set for July 18 — all matches unfolding at the iconic Guyana National Stadium in Providence.
