Nikhil Naik enjoys dancing to Punjabi songs, despite not knowing the language, as a Marathi. |
His Kolkata Knight Riders teammates affectionately refer to him as the 'Indian Russell'. |
Naik faced challenges reaching the top of cricket due to personal struggles, including losing his mother to paralysis in 2010. |
In 2018, Naik was acquired by the Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 20 lakh after playing for Kings XI Punjab from 2015 to 2018 with limited appearances in 2016. |
He debuted in first-class cricket for Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy on January 7, 2019. |
Naik played his List-A debut match for Maharashtra against Gujarat in the 2014 Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 234 runs in 4 games. |
Recognized for his wicket-keeping skills, Naik joined the Maharashtra under-15 cricket team at the age of 12. |
Naik captained the Maharashtra under-16 and under-19 teams to national title victories, demonstrating leadership qualities. |
To enhance his batting, Naik shed weight, which significantly improved his performance in hitting boundaries effortlessly. |
Prior to cricket, Naik excelled in tennis and transitioned to cricket after impressing with his ball-striking skills. |