Indian-origin Nikhil Chaudhary replaces Travis Head in Australia's T20I squad against Bangladesh

Indian-origin cricketer from Victoria, Nikhil Chaudhary, has been added to the Australian T20I squad as a replacement for the attacking opener Travis Head, who has now been ruled out of the three-match series against Bangladesh. Head was initially named in the squad, but his name has now been withdrawn from the squad, with the Delhi-born Chaudhary receiving his maiden call-up.

The Hobart Hurricanes allrounder will join his Australian teammates in Dhaka on Friday and begin preparations for the series. The two teams are currently engaged in an ODI series, the last of which will be played on Sunday, June 14. The T20Is will kickstart three days later, and as a result, Chaudhary has ample time to gel well in the dressing room ahead of his potential international debut.

“Nikhil has been a player of national interest for some time. He was a standby player for this tour, joining the squad at pre-season camps in Brisbane and comes in as a replacement for Travis Head. The panel has been impressed by his BBL form, particularly last season, leading to his addition to the squad. He has also been part of the Delhi Capitals setup in this year’s IPL," national selector Tony Dodemaide said.

“Nikhil will gain invaluable experience in Bangadesh and will be in contention to play his first game for Australia when we sit down to pick a team for the opening T20 fixture here next week," Dodemaide added.

Australia's T20I squad versus Bangladesh 2026

Josh Inglis (WK), Josh Phillippe (WK), Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Marsh (C), Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Cameron Green, Xavier Bartlett, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Spencer Johnson, RIley Meredith, Adam Zampa, and Nikhil Chaudhary

Austalia tour of Bangladesh 2026: T20I schedule

(Input: Cricket Australia)