India
Australia-Based Nikhil Chaudhary Enters IPL 2026 Auction; Sparks Mixed Reactions: Australia-based cricketer Nikhil Chaudhary has officially entered the IPL 2026 auction, marking a major milestone in his professional career. Interestingly, he is the second Indian-origin player to play in the Big Bash League (BBL) after Unmukt Chand. This development highlights the global mobility of cricket talent while reinforcing the IPL’s role as a premier league attracting players from diversified backgrounds.
The IPL governing council recently finalized the player list for the auction, scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi. Notably, Chaudhary, 29, appears in the Uncapped All-rounders 5 (UAL5) category with a base price of ₹40 lakh.
Born in Delhi and raised in Punjab after his family relocated when he was just two, Chaudhary steadily rose through the cricketing ranks. He progressed via Punjab’s age-group circuit before making his senior List A debut in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2017.
In 2020, Chaudhary moved to Australia, where he continued his domestic career. He later joined the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL, where he played 20 matches and scored 386 runs. In first-class cricket, he has been associated with the Tasmania team for the past several seasons.
Despite playing most of his professional cricket in Australia, the Punjab Cricket Association remains his registered body. Therefore, he enters the IPL auction as an Indian player, keeping him eligible under tournament regulations.
However, controversy emerged shortly after the final auction list was published. Following media discussions and fan concerns, his country of residence was changed from India to Australia, sparking confusion. The shift gained considerable attention, proving once again how procedural decisions in franchise cricket can influence public debate.
Moreover, the IPL 2026 auction features a total of 350 shortlisted players, with all ten franchises expected to aggressively compete to rebuild their squads. Consequently, Chaudhary’s entry will be closely watched, especially since his BBL experience gives him a unique competitive advantage.
This year’s panel of IPL decision-makers includes senior experts from legal, business and cricketing fields, ensuring transparency and strategic competitiveness. Their efforts underline the importance of strong governance, which boosts global confidence in the IPL as a trusted institution.
As the cricketing world gears up for the auction, it remains to be seen which franchise will invest in Chaudhary’s promising talent. His journey from Punjab to Tasmania reflects resilience, adaptability and determination—qualities that franchises value in a fast-evolving T20 environment.
