Agni Chopra, the 26-year-old son of renowned Bollywood producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra and acclaimed film critic Anupama Chopra, has taken an unconventional route in the world of 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 opportunity arose following the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to bar foreign passport holders from participating in the Ranji Trophy, India's premier domestic tournament. Instead of letting this setback derail his aspirations, Agni embraced his circumstances and forged a new path in international cricket.
Making a Mark in Domestic Cricket
Despite the challenges of earning respect in the cricketing fraternity, Agni understood that his performances on the field would define his credibility. His breakthrough moment came during the 2019-20 season of the Col. C.K. Nayudu Trophy, a BCCI U23 tournament. Scoring nearly 800 runs in just 10 games, he topped the run charts for Mumbai, registering three centuries, including a remarkable double hundred.
Agni attributes his transformation as a batter to his coach and mentor, Khushpreet Singh Aulakh. Their partnership, which began in July 2019, played a crucial role in shaping Agni’s game.
The Turning Point: A Mentor’s Influence
Reflecting on their journey, Khushpreet shared his insights into Agni’s growth:
"When we first met, he didn't have that belief in himself. And that belief comes from practice. We elevated the level of his practice. He had never played over 200 balls in a net session before that. We set targets like playing 25,000 balls per month. A good thing about him is that he is not lazy. If I ask him to wake up at 5 am and train, he was willing to do that," as quoted by Cricbuzz.
A New Perspective from Shubman Gill
Another key influence in Agni’s journey has been Indian international cricketer Shubman Gill. Introduced by Khushpreet, the two quickly formed a close friendship that significantly impacted Agni’s approach to the game.
"KP introduced me to Shubman Gill, and he has been another major influence in my life. We struck it off right away and started spending a lot more time with each other. What was happening with me was that I only cared about results, and Shubman is completely opposite. Shubman cares about the process. He makes the process paramount and results irrelevant. I benefited a lot from being around him," said Agni.
Further Challenges
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 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 to Cricbuzz.
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.
