Australia have announced their squad for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh, and one name is getting a lot of buzz. India-born all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary has made it into the group and might be close to a pretty special milestone for Australian cricket. This T20I series comes after the ongoing ODI run between Australia and Bangladesh. Mitchell Marsh is set to captain the side, while several players who really stood out in domestic cricket and the Big Bash League (BBL) have also been picked. For Chaudhary, the call-up feels like a proper reward after years of grind, plus steady performances across Australian cricket. Nikhil Chaudhary Could End a 62-Year Wait If Nikhil Chaudhary debuts during the Bangladesh series, he would become the first India-born player to turn out for Australia in international cricket since 1964. The last India-born cricketer to play for Australia was Rex Sellars, a leg-spinner who was born in Gujarat. He featured for Australia in that 1964 Test in Calcutta. It’s been over six decades now, so if Chaudhary does get on the field, it’ll be a big moment for Australian cricket fans and selectors alike. Australia have had to tweak things a bit because of injuries and player availability, so with Travis Head sidelined due to personal reasons and a few other key names missing, the selectors have been hunting for fresher options. And that’s basically how the door opened for Chaudhary, who now has a chance to make history. Also Read | World Champions Australia Collapse to 0/3 as Bangladesh Create Rare ODI Record in Dhaka in AUS vs BAN 2nd ODI From Delhi to Australia Nikhil Chaudhary was born in Delhi and played cricket in India, before he moved to Australia. In the early parts of his journey, he played state-level cricket and shared the crease with some recognizable Indian players, including Shubman Gill, Harbhajan Singh, and Abhishek Sharma. He also went through trials for Mumbai Indians before heading overseas. The journey to Australia was made during the COVID era. Over time, he has earned himself respect as a cricketer through club cricket, national tournaments, and Big Bash League cricket. The all-rounder became a key figure for the Hobart Hurricanes and played an important part in their BBL title campaign. In that season, he piled up 307 runs at a strike rate of 153, and he kept contributing with both bat and ball. Those performances also helped him land a state contract with Tasmania, showing his progress is real not just hype. What Makes Chaudhary a Valuable Player? Chaudhary is usually described as a batting all-rounder, though he can also deliver some useful spin bowling when needed. In 48 T20 matches so far, he has scored 845 runs at a strike rate of 137.84. He has also grabbed 16 wickets, while holding an economy rate of 7.25. One of his standout traits is the way he can go after fast bowlers. Even though he’s been born and raised in India, he’s adjusted well to Australian conditions and has looked comfortable on fast, bouncy pitches. The upcoming Bangladesh tour might actually suit him. The conditions are expected to favor spin, and his ability to impact games with both skills could make him a handy choice for Australia. Once he’s already secured a place in the squad, his next target will be pushing for a spot in the playing XI. And if that happens, he won’t only chase a personal dream, but he’ll also help create a unique slice of Australian cricket history. Australia T20I Squad vs Bangladesh Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Nikhil Chaudhary, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Adam Zampa.