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Nikhil also became the second Indian-born cricketer to play in the BBL after India U-19 World Cup-winning captain Unmukt Chand.
The right-handed batter instantly caught the attention of the crowd with his blistering knock of 40 that came in 31 balls before chopping onto left-arm quick Jason Behrendorff in his debut match against the Perth Scorchers.The leg-spinner also made his entry in the wickets column by picking two wickets against Sydney Thunder on New Year’s Day.
The 27-year-old Nikhil, who was born in New Delhi, moved to Punjab with his parents at a very young age. Displaying his aggressive batting tendencies since his early days, he ascended through the ranks to join the Punjab team under the captaincy of the former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh.
Nikhil also gave trials twice for the Mumbai Indians in late 2019, but didn’t make the final cut for the IPL team. However, his journey took an unexpected turn when he visited Australia for a holiday, coinciding with the closure of borders due to the Covid-19 pandemic, altering the course of a versatile all-rounder’s life.
With no option left, Nikhli chose to follow his cricket passion in Australia, as he embraced the opportunity to play for the Northern Suburbs cricket club. It was there that he left a lasting impression, catching the attention of his coach, the former Australian cricketer James Hopes, who had also been associated with the Hobart Hurricanes. Thanks to Hopes’ recommendation, Nikhil secured a coveted BBL contract.
Although his future now lies in Australia, Nikhil has not lost sight of his roots. His distinctive celebration, the ‘thigh-five,’ has become a signature move, reminiscent of the celebrated Indian batter, Shikhar Dhawan, showcasing a connection to his Indian heritage.
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