Nikhil Chaudhary has created a rare situation in world cricket by being eligible to play as a local player in both the IPL and the BBL, leaving fans confused about how the rules allow it.
Nikhil still holds an Indian passport, so IPL automatically classifies him as an Indian domestic player, not overseas. But...
BBL allows players with permanent residency to be registered as local players. Nikhil has Australian residency, making him local there too.
IPL decides local status by nationality, while BBL decides it by residency, allowing him to fit both categories at once.
A player becomes overseas for IPL only after representing another country. Nikhil hasn’t played for Australia, so he remains Indian in IPL.
He played U-16, U-19, U-23 and T20/List A cricket for Punjab (PCA), which keeps him eligible as an Indian domestic player in IPL records.
Indian players can’t play overseas leagues only if they’re active in Indian domestic cricket. Nikhil moved to Australia and stopped playing Indian domestic cricket, so he was not restricted.
Players like Unmukt Chand had to register as overseas after joining USA Cricket. Nikhil did not join Cricket Australia as an international player, so IPL still treats him as Indian.
IPL counts nationality, BBL counts residency—allowing Nikhil to qualify as a local player in both.