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163 off 184 balls! Nikhil Chaudhary thumps Sheffield Shield ton to spark his Ashes audition

Aakash Saini

Nikhil Chaudhary [Source: @cricketcomau/x]Nikhil Chaudhary [Source: @cricketcomau/x]

Uncapped Australian star Nikhil Chaudhary may well have thrown his hat into the ring this Ashes 2025-26 season. Turning up for Tasmania at the Cricket Central in Sydney in match 14 of the 2025-26 Sheffield Shield Trophy, the cricketer thumped 163 runs off just 184 balls with nine cracking boundaries and five huge sixes.

A spin bowler by profession, Chaudhary’s innings marked his maiden first-class century as the 29-year-old continues to strengthen his bid as a genuine all-round option for Australia.

Nikhil Chaudhary puts his name in Ashes conversation with Shield blitz

Batting at number five for Tasmania against New South Wales in Sydney, Nikhil Chaudhary clattered 163 runs off just 184 balls with nine fours and five sixes to mark his maiden first-class ton in style. The 29-year-old also seemingly struck the timing right, landing a statement with the bat perfectly in the heart of Australia’s home Ashes season against England.

Nikhil Chaudhary’s innings, coupled with centuries from opener Caleb Jewell and number three Tim Ward, helped Tasmania mount 623-8d in 154.1 overs at a brisk run rate of over four.

The India-born all-rounder made his first-class debut just last month during Tasmania’s home Sheffield Shield 2025 fixture against Queensland in Brisbane. The cricketer celebrated the occasion by collecting a street-smart five-wicket haul, and by scoring a fiery 76* off just 80 balls on a tough Day 4 surface.

With his wicket-taking pedigree and a penchant for scoring quick runs, as evidenced by his batting strike rate of over 75 in first-class cricket, Nikhil Chaudhary continues to build a strong case for himself as a high-impact all-rounder for Australia.

With Australia’s home Ashes 2025-26 campaign still unfolding, Nikhil Chaudhary’s surge is quietly tightening the race for a potential Baggy Green and giving selectors plenty to think about.