Agni Chopra chose cricket over Bollywood, he now plays for the MI franchise

Agni Chopra, the son of popular filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Bollywood film critic Anupama Chopra, never wanted the stardom of movies and chose cricket to make a name for himself. Today he plays for MI franchise, the very team he grew up as a fanboy.

Agni played for Mizoram for two years in the Indian domestic cricket due to the lack of opportunities in Mumbai's big cricket circles before getting a big break in US' Major League Cricket (MLC).

From the maidans of Mumbai to loads of runs in Ranji Trophy

Agi's journey, like any other Mumbaikar who plays cricket, began in Shivaji Park when he was just six years old. While most people thought being from an influential film family would make things easy, it was only harder for Agni. Other players and coaches thought he was just another rich kid who played cricket for leisure and would not stick to the sport.

However, Agni had different dreams. To avoid standing out, he would ask his driver to park the car far away so no one would see him in his luxury. He wanted to be seen as just another boy with a bat, not a star kid with privileges.

Soon, the runs started speaking for themselves. In the 2019-20 Col. C.K. Nayudu Trophy, Agni scored nearly 800 runs for Mumbai U-23. He smashed three centuries and a double ton in the tournament. He credits his coach Khushpreet Singh Aulakh, who became more like a big brother, for turning him into a tough cricketer.

Sadly, things did not work out for Agni as Mumbai’s Ranji team never called. An injury and a tough relationship breakup made things worse.

The 26-year-old even thought of quitting cricket. But a call from Mizoram changed everything. Agni smashed four centuries in his first four First-Class games and finished the season with 939 runs. He did it again the next season too. In 11 First Class matches, the left-hander has over 1800 runs with a staggering average of 94.94. He has nine centuries and five half centuries and a highest score of an unbeaten 238.

However, a rule that only Indian passport holders can play Ranji Trophy, Agni, who has an American passport, had to give up professional cricket in India.

The MI dream

Agni focused fully on cricket in the USA and the MLC.

This year, Agni got his big break mid-air. On February 19, he boarded an Air India flight from San Francisco to Mumbai. While he was flying without Wi-Fi, the MLC draft was underway and 17 hours later, when he landed and switched his phone on, he saw a message from his mother — MI New York had picked him for $50,000. For a boy who grew up supporting Mumbai Indians, it was like a dream come true.

He says days cricket is still closest to his heart, but playing in the US gives him new hope and a chance to play against top players at his peak.

On Saturday, Agni made his debut for MI New York. Though he scored just five runs opening the innings, this could be a start of a new chapter in his career.