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Agni Chopra, the 26-year-old son of Bollywood producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra and film critic Anupama Chopra, has carved a unique path in cricket. Born in Detroit, USA, and holding American citizenship, Agni recently made headlines after being drafted by MI New York for $50,000 in the Major League Cricket (MLC) domestic draft. This move comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) introduced a rule barring foreign passport holders from playing in the Ranji Trophy, India’s premier domestic tournament.
A Dream Realized: The $50K Draft Moment
Agni’s journey to MI New York was nothing short of cinematic. On February 19, while boarding a flight from San Francisco to Mumbai, he anxiously awaited news of the MLC draft. With no Wi-Fi on the plane, he spent 17 hours in suspense. Upon landing, a text from his mother delivered the life-changing news: he had been picked by MI New York for $50,000.
“I couldn’t wait to land. After landing, I saw a text from my mom saying that I had been picked up by MI New York for $50,000! I was alone on the plane, and I couldn’t really shout or do anything since we had just landed. It felt like a full-circle moment because I come from the city where the franchise is based. I’ve been a lifelong MI fan. I just had that moment of gratitude for everyone who’s been part of my journey—my family, my coaches, especially KP (Khushpreet Singh Aulakh), and all my teammates over the years,” Agni shared in an interview with Cricbuzz.
Battling Stereotypes and Proving His Worth
Agni’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Growing up in a privileged household, he often faced skepticism about his commitment to cricket. “The preconceived notion was that I didn’t care about cricket because I was a rich kid. People thought I’d quit or wasn’t serious,” he revealed.
Despite these doubts, Agni’s talent shone through. A call-up to the Mizoram squad for the Ranji Trophy Plate division marked a turning point. He seized the opportunity, scoring 4 centuries in his first 4 first-class games and amassing 939 runs in 6 matches in his debut season. He followed this with another stellar season, maintaining an average of 94.94 over 13 first-class games.
“I’ve never in my life thought that I have more than one game to play, or two games max, because if you don’t perform well in two games, you’re dropped in Mumbai. I was relishing the fact that I had an entire season to play for Mizoram. You become a different cricketer with a sense of security, and it positively impacts the way you practice,” Agni explained.
A Practical Decision: Choosing the USA Over India
Despite his success in the Ranji Trophy, Agni decided to retire from first-class cricket in India. As an American passport holder, the BCCI’s new rule left him with no choice. “It wasn’t an easy decision since first-class cricket is still the pinnacle of the game for me. But it was a practical decision given the pecking order for India selection,” he said.
The allure of playing in the MLC and potentially representing the USA internationally was too significant to ignore. “It has always been my dream to play in the Ranji Trophy, win the elite division title, and play in the IPL. But playing in the MLC and the USA opens doors for me to play international cricket. I would have stayed if I had been picked in the IPL, but I’m looking forward to my time in America now,” Agni added.
A New Chapter in American Cricket
Agni’s move to MI New York marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. With his talent, determination, and passion for the game, he is poised to make a significant impact in American cricket. His journey—from the maidans of Mumbai to the fields of the USA—is a testament to his resilience and love for the sport.
