Australia’s decision to draft Nikhil Chaudhary into their T20I squad for the Bangladesh series has highlighted a unique milestone in the history of cricket. The Delhi-born all-rounder has the opportunity to become the first ever India-born male cricketer to play international cricket for Australia since 1964.
Chaudhary earned his place in the squad on the back of strong performances at domestic and Big Bash League level, for Hobart Hurricanes. However, his inclusion would still not make him the first player born in India to don Australian colours.
Just a handful of Indian-born cricketers have had the honor of representing Australia internationally, making it one of the rarest clubs in world cricket.
List of India-Born Cricketers to Play for Australia
Bransby Cooper
First ever India-born Australian cricketer, Bransby Cooper, born in Dacca which was a part of British India at that time went on to become part of cricket history by representing Australia in the very first Test match ever played in Melbourne against England in the year 1877. His career may not have been long, but his place in cricket history is cemented as he became the first India-born player to turn out for Australia.
Cooper’s debut came when international cricket was still in its infancy, making him all the more historically significant.
Also Read | From Delhi to Australia: Nikhil Chaudhary Could Become Australia’s First India-Born International Since 1964
Rex Sellers
Almost 90 years after Bransby Cooper’s debut, another India-born player received an Australian cap.
Born in Bulsar (now Valsad) in Gujarat in 1940, Rex Sellers moved to Australia and became a gifted leg-spinner, impressing at the domestic level.
His abilities paved way for a Test debut for Australia against England in 1964, and till this day, no India-born male cricketer has played for Australia since Sellers. That statistic is just over 60 years old and now Nikhil Chaudhary could break that streak of 62 years.
Lisa Sthalekar
Without a doubt the most successful India-born Australian cricketer is Lisa Sthalekar.
Born in Pune, India in 1979, Sthalekar moved to Australia as a baby, going on to become one of the best all-rounders to ever grace the game and win many World Cups along the way, even captaining her adopted nation and eventually earning a place in the ICC Hall of Fame.
And now, Nikhil Chaudhary is set to follow Cooper, Sellers and Sthalekar in this select group of players. His debut against Bangladesh would not just be a milestone for him personally, but also another chapter in the historic Indian-Australian cricket connection.
