Big Bash League star fronts court accused of raping a woman he met in Queensland nightclub

Hobart Hurricanes cricketer Nikhil Chaudhary has pleaded not guilty to raping a woman in Townsville, Queensland.

The Big Bash League cricketer is alleged to have raped a woman in his vehicle after meeting her at a Townsville nightclub.

He Townsville Newsletter has reported that the Hurricanes all-rounder pleaded not guilty on the first day of the trial on Monday.

Nikhil Chaudhary, from India, moved to Australia and worked in a restaurant and as a postman while playing cricket.

He had previously played cricket in India’s premier domestic competition, the Ranji Trophy, for Punjab and was coached by Harbhajan Singh, playing alongside famous players such as Yuvraj Singh and Shubman Gill.

In 2020, he visited Australia on vacation but ended up staying due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During his extended stay, he began playing for the Northern Suburbs District Cricket Club in Brisbane.

His performances in club cricket led to him being selected to play for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League in late 2023.

A 12-member jury was selected Monday morning, with a 13th member selected as a precaution.

The trial is expected to last three days before Judge John Coker and a jury, and Chaudhary will be represented by defense lawyer Claire Grant.

Shannon Sutherland is acting as Crown prosecutor.