Latest news with #AgniChopra
India.com
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Vidhu Vinod Chopra's son Agni now playing cricket in USA, BCCI's rule behind it will leave you surprised
Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra's son, Agni Chopra, is a current player for MI New York in the Major League Cricket. Vidhu Vinod Chopra, a filmmaker has a son Agni Chopra who is making headlines in Major league cricket (MLC) team as MI New York player. He takes a different route that does not follow the common BCCI rules. An astonishing step to most cricket enthusiasts. The BCCI usually have a rule against the playing of active Indian cricketers abroad. Nevertheless, this rule does not apply to Agni since he has an American passport. An amazing curve to his cricket career. Prior to MLC, Agni had displayed his talent in the domestic circuit of India, more prominently the Ranji Trophy. His success was out of this world, as he drew accolades of professionals. An exquisite home display. The talent of Agni Chopra cannot be ignored. He scored the unfathomable four successive first-class centuries on his first four matches. The great accomplishment in his career. Agni also said that he wanted to compete in the IPL and even said he will even apply to be an Indian passport holder should he be picked. He was not however drafted; hence, the MLC. Another episode takes place. Agni is still uncertain about his future as he is doing well in the US. He is eligible to play in domestic leagues in India based on his citizenship. An interesting narrative to watch.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Son Plays In US Cricket League Despite Tough BCCI Laws. Here's How
Agni Chopra, son of filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, is currently playing for MI New York in the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC). The 26-year-old previously played domestic cricket in India with his latest outing coming in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season. As a result, it came as a surprise for many that he is playing in an overseas league considering the tough BCCI stance in this matter. BCCI does not allow any active cricketer to play in any overseas cricket league and they can only play in these competitions after their retirement or after procuring a No Objection Certificate (NOC). However, the reason behind Agni's exemption is simple: He does not hold an Indian passport. Agni was born in Detroit, Michigan and as a result, he is exempt from the BCCI rule regarding overseas cricket league participation. However, under the new BCCI rules, he will also not be able to play in the domestic leagues until he becomes an Indian citizen. Agni became the first player to score First Class centuries in each of his first four matches. During the 2023-24 Ranji season, he was a top performer for Mizoram and earned a lot of praise from experts. Earlier, he said that he would have applied for an Indian passport if he was picked for the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, despite expressing his wish to play in the league on multiple occasions, he was not picked by any of the franchises and he decided to play in the United States-based league. 'I would have still applied for an Indian passport and stayed if I had been picked in the Indian Premier League but [I am] looking forward to my time in America now,' he told Times of India.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Why Agni Chopra, Vidhu Vinod Chopra's son, is part of Major League Cricket despite strict BCCI laws for Indian players
Agni Chopra, the 26-year-old son of filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, has caught attention as an Indian domestic cricketer who is currently playing his trade in the ongoing Major League Cricket for MI New York. Despite having played domestic cricket in India as recently as the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, Chopra is also eligible to play in the MLC despite BCCI's ban on Indian players from participating in overseas T20 leagues. The reason is simple: Agni Chopra was born in Detroit, Michigan, and doesn't hold an Indian passport. As a result, he is exempt from the BCCI's rules on participation in overseas leagues, but due to new rules, is also not eligible for participation in domestic cricket under new laws. Chopra broke out in the 23/24 Ranji Trophy season for Mizoram, becoming the first player to score First Class centuries in each of his first four matches. His strong form would continue into this season, where he finished as the leading run-scorer in the group stage of the Ranji Trophy Plate Division. For amassing 939 runs in 23/24, Chopra was one of the recipients of the Madhavrao Scindia Award, granted to the players with the most runs and wickets in the Ranji Trophy's two-league format. He backed it up with an 865-run performance this season, at a whopping average of 123.57. As a US citizen but not subject to the BCCI's statute, Agni was able to enter the draft for the 2025 MLC season. He was picked up by MI New York for USD 50,000, and is set to be their opener for the current season. He didn't have an ideal start to the MLC season, scoring only 5(7) in MINY's opener vs Texas Super Kings and 8(8) against San Francisco Unicorns, but this remains a ticked box for the batter. As per Chopra, not being picked up in the IPL this season despite his strong domestic record prompted him to opt out of applying for an Indian passport, thereby making himself eligible to play in his country of birth. 'I would have still applied for an Indian passport and stayed if I had been picked in the Indian Premier League but [I am] looking forward to my time in America now,' he had explained to Times of India in an interview. As a result, Agni isn't one of those players who had to announce their retirement and apply for an NOC from the board, such as Yuvraj Singh for the Global T20 League in Canada, or Unmukt Chand, who retired from Indian cricket and declared for USA in 2021, and is subsequently also participating in the MLC.
India.com
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
4 Indian Cricketers Who Are Playing In MLC 2025: Unmukt Chand, Agni Chopra And...
3 / 8 Agni Chopra, who holds the record of being the first cricketer to hit four tons in his first four Ranji Trophy matches while playing for Mizoram, is currently representing MI New York (MINY) in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 season. Agni, son of Bollywood director Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who played domestic cricket in India as recently as January 2025, was allowed to participate in MLC 2025 for MI New York due to a special reason. Interestingly, Agni is not an Indian passport holder despite being Indian. Chopra holds a USA citizenship due to his birth in Detroit. His dream to play in America came true as the BCCI recently amended their policy which stated that players with Indian passports would only be allowed to compete in the domestic tournaments. Earlier, overseas cricketers (even entire teams, such as those in the Duleep Trophy) had played domestic cricket in India, but they will no longer be allowed to do so.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 나눔도 당신처럼 아름답게, 유니세프 팀 팔찌 유니세프 지금 기부하기 Undo 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. Live Events 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.
