India, Oct. 12 -- Nikhil Chaudhary had his return tickets booked from Australia after a holiday with his uncle's family in Cairns, and was eager to join his Punjab teammates ahead of the 2020-21 domestic season. An IPL contract was in his dreams.

But as fate would have it, the Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing worldwide lockdown upended his plans, keeping him Down Under.

However, that three months of uncertain period opened up fresh opportunities for Chaudhary, culminating in him making his international debut for Australia in a T20I match against Bangladesh in June this year. The goosebumps are still there.

"It was my life's biggest moment. Six years ago, when I was going to Australia for a holiday, who could have imagined that I woul...