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Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra
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Aakash Chopra (pronunciationⓘ; born 19 September 1977) is a cricket commentator, YouTuber and former cricketer who briefly played for the Indian cricket team from late 2003 to late 2004.[1]

Key Information

Chopra currently works as a Hindi cricket commentator for JioStar.[2] He previously worked as a column writer for ESPNcricinfo.[3]

His international cricket career consisted of 10 test matches, in which he scored 437 runs at an average of 23 runs per inning.[4]

In Indian domestic cricket, Chopra played for the Delhi cricket team, Himachal Pradesh cricket team and Rajasthan cricket team. He also played for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

Cricket career

[edit]

International

[edit]

Chopra made his Test debut in Ahmedabad against New Zealand in late 2003, as India sought to find an opening partner for his Delhi teammate Virender Sehwag.[1] During the 2003–2004 second Test in Mohali, Chopra scored two half-centuries against New Zealand. On the 2003–04 tour to Australia, he frequently partnered with Virender Sehwag, including two century opening partnerships in Melbourne and Sydney. As an opening batsman, Chopra was credited with the large scores that India accumulated in that series, surpassing middle-order batsmen Rahul Dravid, V. V. S. Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly who regularly scored centuries.[1]

On the subsequent tour to Pakistan, Chopra scored 42 runs in the first test match wherein Virender Sehwag scored the First ever triple century for an Indian and India scored more than 600 runs in the first innings. India went on to defeat Pakistan in the first Test in Multan. However, in the second Test, the Indian batsmen scored much lower, apart from a century from Yuvraj Singh, who played in place of the injured captain Sourav Ganguly.[5] When Ganguly returned for the final Test, Chopra was axed and Yuvraj was retained in the team.

Chopra was reintroduced as Sehwag's partner in the 2004 Border–Gavaskar Trophy after Tendulkar was injured for the First Test in Bangalore. A heavy loss saw Chopra axed for the following match in Chennai upon Tendulkar's return, with Yuvraj playing as opening batsman. Yuvraj also struggled, and Chopra was recalled for the Third Test in Nagpur. Australia won this series, the first test win in India for them in 35 years, and this resulted in Chopra being dropped from the team. Chopra was replaced by Delhi teammates Gautam Gambhir and Wasim Jaffer, who went on to partner Sehwag in Test matches. Due to his low scoring rate, Chopra was not considered for One Day Internationals. [citation needed]

Domestic

[edit]

In September 2008, Aakash played for Delhi in the Nissar Trophy against SNGPL (the winners of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy from Pakistan). Delhi scored 4 and 197,[6] making the match a draw, but SNGPL won the trophy based on first-innings lead.[7] After representing Delhi for a long time, Chopra joined Rajasthan as a guest player in the Ranji Plate division.[8] Chopra helped Rajasthan to become the first Plate division team to win the Ranji Trophy, followed by another Ranji trophy win in 2010–2011 season. Chopra has won three Ranji titles in total, one with Delhi and two with Rajasthan. [citation needed]

IPL

[edit]

Chopra played for the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2008, IPL 2009, but was dropped eventually as he was deemed too slow at scoring for fast-paced T-20 cricket.[citation needed] In those two seasons he scored 53 runs with an average of 8.83 runs across 6 innings.

In IPL 2011, Chopra was signed by the Rajasthan Royals. In 2015, he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.[9] Chopra is one of the few Indian cricketers who have scored over 8,000 First-Class runs.[10]

Cricket commentary career

[edit]

Chopra was a cricket commentator for Star Sports for a long time.[11] His cricket commentary style has been described as similar to Navjot Singh Sidhu, in that he uses lots of one-liners and rhymes.[12]

During the 2018–19 Australia vs India test series, Chopra was a commentator for 7 Network, and also commentated for Sony Ten 2.[13]

In January 2023, Chopra left Star Sports, and joined Viacom 18 network. He voiced Hindi commentary on Sports 18 and on the Jio Cinema app during the South African Twenty20 league, SA20.[2]

In July-August 2024, Chopra served as a Hindi commentator for the Sri Lanka vs India ODI series on Sony Sports Network. Following the merger of Viacom18 and Star India, he returned to Star Sports and was part of the Hindi commentary panel for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.[14]

Aakash Chopra – Commentary career
Years Platform/Channel Role Notes
2013–2022 Star Sports Commentator Prominent Hindi commentator during IPL and international matches.
2018 Seven Network Commentator English commentator during Australia vs India 2018
2023–2025 JioCinema Commentator Hindi commentator during IPL,WPL,SA20 and international matches.
2025–present Star Sports Commentator

Other media

[edit]

Chopra's columns regularly appear in Mid-Day and on ESPNcricinfo.[15]

In 2009, Chopra released Beyond the Blues: A First-Class Season Like No Other, a diary of his domestic season in 2007–2008 published by HarperCollins. It received critical acclaim, and Suresh Menon of ESPNcricinfo wrote that it was "the best book written by an Indian Test cricketer".[16] In November 2011, his second book was published by HarperCollins, and was titled Out of the Blue, about Rajasthan's victory in the Ranji Trophy. He went on to write two more books; The Insider with ESPNcricinfo in 2015 and Numbers Do Lie with Impact Index in 2017.[17]

In May 2020, Chopra signed as a commentator with popular mobile cricket game World Cricket Championship commentate the upcoming WCC3 game.[18][19] Chopra was the first commentator to become a commentator on a digital game platform.[20]

Aakash Chopra has a YouTube channel where he uploads match reviews and previews.[21]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Aakash Chopra

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Aakash Chopra (born 19 September 1977) is an Indian former professional cricketer and current cricket commentator, renowned for his classical opening batting style in Test cricket and his prolific domestic performances. Chopra rose to prominence during the 2002–03 Ranji Trophy season, where he amassed significant runs for Delhi, earning him a spot in the Indian Test squad later that year. He made his Test debut against New Zealand in October 2003 at Ahmedabad and played 10 Tests overall between 2003 and 2004, primarily opening the innings alongside Virender Sehwag, scoring 437 runs at an average of 23.00 with a highest score of 60. Despite his solid technique suited to wearing down new-ball attacks, he struggled against pace in overseas conditions and was dropped after the 2004 home series against Australia, never returning to the international side. In domestic cricket, Chopra enjoyed a distinguished career spanning 162 first-class matches for Delhi, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh, accumulating 10,839 runs at an average of 45.35, including 29 centuries and a highest score of 301 not out. He also featured in the inaugural Indian Premier League season in 2008 for the Kolkata Knight Riders but was not retained thereafter. Retiring from first-class cricket in 2015, Chopra transitioned to commentary, becoming a prominent voice in Indian cricket broadcasting across networks like Star Sports and Sony, while also authoring books such as The Insider: Decoding the Craft of Cricket and managing a popular YouTube channel focused on cricket analysis.

Early life and education

Early life

Aakash Chopra was born on 19 September 1977 in , , . He is the son of Shyam Lal Chopra and has a sister named Aekta Chopra. The family relocated to when Aakash was a young child. From an early age, Chopra displayed a strong interest in sports, particularly , and received his first —a Vats Hot Shot model—as a child, though it was later stolen, which did not diminish his enthusiasm. He began his structured involvement in the sport by joining the Sonnet Cricket Club in , where he honed his skills and frequently opened the batting for the club side. Chopra's talent soon earned him recognition at the youth level, leading to his selection for the Delhi Under-16 team. In 1995, he represented the India School Boys squad on a tour to the West Indies, marking an early milestone in his cricketing journey.

Education

Aakash Chopra completed his early education in Delhi, participating in school cricket teams and inter-school tournaments that honed his skills as an opening batsman. Chopra pursued his undergraduate studies at Hindu College, University of , where he balanced academics with competitive , earning selection to the college and university teams. The demands of the sport led him to enroll in a Master's program at the same institution, which he discontinued midway to focus on his professional career.

Cricket career

Domestic career

Chopra made his first-class debut for in the 1996–97 season at the age of 19. In his debut season, he accumulated 422 runs at an average of 70.33, including two centuries. He enjoyed a long and successful association with , spanning over a decade until 2009, during which he established himself as a reliable opener and key contributor to the team's campaigns in domestic tournaments. One of his standout performances came in the 2007–08 , where he scored 783 runs as clinched the title. Chopra also represented India A on several tours, gaining valuable experience against competitive opposition to hone his skills ahead of potential senior selection. In 2010, Chopra shifted to as a professional player, where he quickly became a pivotal figure, captaining the side to back-to-back Plate Division titles in 2010–11 and 2011–12, including promotion to the Elite Division. During his stint with , he notched his career-best first-class score of 301* against in in 2010. In 2012, he transferred to , where he continued as an opener and occasional captain, playing until 2014 and contributing to their domestic efforts. Later, he had a brief association with North Eastern in the 2014–15 season. Over his domestic career, Chopra played 162 first-class matches, amassing 10,839 runs at an average of 45.35, including 29 centuries. He announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in February 2015, at the age of 37, after his last first-class appearance in 2014.

International career

Aakash Chopra made his Test debut for against on 8 October 2003 at the Sardar Patel (Motera) Stadium in , opening the batting and scoring 42 in the first innings before being dismissed caught and bowled by , followed by 31 in the second innings. In the subsequent second Test at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in from 16 to 20 October 2003, Chopra delivered his career-best performances, scoring 60 in the first innings—his maiden Test fifty—and 52 in the second, marking the only instance of him reaching fifty-plus scores in and contributing to 's resilient batting effort on a batsman-friendly pitch. Chopra was retained as opener for India's tour of in late 2003 and early 2004, where he featured in all four Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, which India drew 1-1. His scores on the tour were modest—23 and 13 not out at , 0 and 23 at , 42 and 13 at , and 10 at —but he formed useful opening partnerships with , providing stability during challenging conditions away from home. Returning home, he played in the March 2004 Test against at , scoring 42 in the first innings as part of a 160-run opening stand with Sehwag before India declared at 675/5, though he did not bat in the second innings. Chopra's international career concluded during Australia's tour of in October 2004, where he struggled in the three Tests, managing scores of 0 and 5 at Bangalore, 4 and 5 at , and 1 in the first innings at . These low returns, combined with intensifying competition for the opener's position from established players like and emerging talents such as , led to his exclusion from the national team after the Nagpur Test on 29 October 2004. Over his brief international stint, Chopra played 10 Tests, accumulating 437 runs at an average of 23.00, with a highest score of 60 and two half-centuries, establishing himself as a dependable opener particularly suited to subcontinental pitches where his defensive technique shone in providing solid starts. He did not feature in any One Day Internationals during his career.

Indian Premier League

Aakash Chopra was acquired by the (KKR) at the inaugural (IPL) auction in 2008 for his base price of INR 25 (approximately $50,000 at the time). As a right-handed opener known for his solid technique in longer formats, he featured in the league shortly after his international career concluded in 2004, marking his entry into professional T20 cricket. Over the 2008 and 2009 seasons, Chopra played 7 matches for KKR, batting in 6 innings and scoring 53 runs at an average of 8.83 and a of 74.64, with a highest score of 24. His contributions were modest, often constrained by limited opportunities as teams favored overseas players in the aggressive T20 environment, where his defensive approach struggled to adapt fully. Despite this, he occasionally provided stability at the top, as seen in his top score of 24 off 23 balls against Delhi Daredevils in 2008. Ahead of the 2011 season, Chopra joined the Rajasthan Royals at the base price of INR 20 lakh but did not play a single match for the franchise, remaining on the bench amid stiff competition for spots. He was released thereafter and did not secure another IPL contract. In reflecting on his IPL stint, Chopra noted that the league offered crucial exposure to T20 cricket and financial security, enabling him to prolong his domestic career until 2015.

Post-retirement career

Cricket commentary

Aakash Chopra transitioned to commentary following his retirement from in 2015, marking a full-time shift to media after a distinguished playing career. He began his broadcasting journey in 2013, providing commentary for Star Sports during India's triumphant campaign in . This debut assignment highlighted his ability to blend playing experience with analytical depth, quickly establishing him as a key voice in Indian coverage. Chopra joined as a around 2009, contributing insightful pieces on domestic and that laid the groundwork for his on-air persona. Since , he has served as a primary commentator for Star Sports and its streaming partner , covering the (IPL) every season and numerous international series. His notable assignments include comprehensive coverage of high-stakes encounters such as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series between and , where he offered real-time tactical breakdowns during intense matches. Renowned for his data-driven insights and tactical dissections, Chopra's commentary style stands out for its precision and accessibility, often delivered in a bilingual mix of and English to reach diverse audiences. He is particularly popular for his "Aakashvani" segments, short analytical videos that break down match strategies and player performances, amassing millions of views on digital platforms. As of 2025, Chopra continued his prominent role in the IPL commentary panel for JioStar (following the merger of Star Sports and ), the commentary panel for the , while making guest appearances on shows like panels and Gaurav Kapoor's Breakfast with Champions to discuss emerging talents and series previews.

Other media and writing

Following his retirement from cricket, Aakash Chopra established himself as a prominent columnist, contributing regular pieces to where he analyzed player performances, team strategies, and match outcomes. He also wrote columns for in the mid-2000s, offering insights into his experiences as a player and the evolving landscape of Indian . Chopra has authored several books on cricket, drawing from his playing career and analytical expertise. His debut work, Beyond the Blues: A Cricket Season Like No Other (2009), chronicles the 2008-09 Ranji Trophy season with Delhi, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of domestic cricket. Subsequent titles include Out of the Blue: Rajasthan Royals' Road to IPL Glory (2013), which details the team's inaugural IPL victory, and The Insider: Decoding the Craft of Cricket (2015), an ESPNcricinfo publication exploring the technical and mental aspects of the game. In 2017, he released Numbers Do Lie: 61 Hidden Cricket Stories, a collection of statistical narratives uncovering lesser-known facets of cricket history and player achievements. Chopra expanded into digital media with his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra, which he actively developed post-retirement and significantly grew during the . Launched in 2011 but gaining prominence from 2020 onward with daily videos under the "#AakashVani" series, the channel features match previews, player interviews, and predictive analyses, amassing over 5 million subscribers by late 2025. Beyond writing and digital content, Chopra has engaged in various media projects, including guest appearances on podcasts where he discusses tactics and career anecdotes. He has also ventured into , featuring in campaigns for financial apps like INDmoney (2022) and educational platforms such as (2021), often portraying relatable scenarios. Additionally, he endorses brands in the sports sector, including co-founding Z-Bat in 2020 to promote custom bats, and has appeared in promotions for streaming services like Hotstar's CricketLive (2016). The accelerated Chopra's pivot to digital platforms, where he provided commentary for virtual cricket matches in World Cricket Championship 3 during the 2020 IPL suspension, marking one of the earliest instances of professional analysts engaging fans online. This shift continued into 2025, with live streams offering real-time IPL analysis and fan interactions, enhancing his role as a multifaceted cricket media figure.

Personal life and legacy

Personal life

Aakash Chopra married Aakshi Mathur, a former journalist and founder of the skincare brand Eleven 11, on December 2, 2009, in a traditional ceremony in New Delhi. The couple has two daughters; their elder daughter is named Aarna, while the younger was born in 2017. The family maintains a close-knit dynamic, with Chopra often sharing glimpses of their travels and daily life on social media, emphasizing his role as a dedicated father. Chopra and his family reside in , where he balances his professional commitments with family support, including backing his wife's entrepreneurial ventures. He has been involved in family-oriented , notably supporting initiatives through campaigns like NDTV's "Pledge Your Heart" in 2017. In his personal time, Chopra enjoys listening to music and playing chess.

Legacy

Aakash Chopra is remembered as a resilient opener who played a key role in stabilizing India's top order during the transitional 2003-04 Test season, particularly on challenging overseas pitches like those in , where his defensive technique and partnerships helped the team draw historic series. His approach emphasized patience and footwork suited to variable conditions, contributing to memorable stands such as the 110-run partnership with in the second Test against at in 2003. Over his international career, Chopra featured in 10 Tests, scoring 437 runs at an average of 23.00, including one half-century. In his post-retirement career, Chopra has significantly influenced discourse in through commentary and analytics, credited with making data-driven insights accessible to mainstream audiences by blending his insider player perspective with statistical breakdowns. His work, including collaborations on shows like The Great Indian Cricket Show with CricViz, has popularized advanced metrics such as Impact Index, helping fans understand player contributions beyond traditional stats. Beyond broadcasting, Chopra has extended his influence through mentorship at the Aakash Chopra-Tenvic Cricket Academy in , where he serves as chief consultant alongside , focusing on developing young talent with emphasis on technique and match awareness. He has also advocated for reforms in domestic , arguing that it should not be viewed as a but as essential preparation, as highlighted in his public statements urging better support for state-level players. Chopra's digital presence has grown substantially in the 2020s, with his YouTube channel amassing over 5 million subscribers and 1.4 billion views through analytical videos and match reactions that engage a young, online-savvy audience. This platform, alongside books like Numbers Do Lie (2017), which uncovers hidden stories via analytics, and Out of the Blue (2020) on Rajasthan's Ranji Trophy triumph, underscores his role in bridging traditional cricket wisdom with modern media. His contributions were recognized with induction into the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) Hall of Fame, honoring his impact on Delhi cricket as a player and administrator.

References

  1. https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/257/aakash-chopra
  2. https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/aakash-chopra-27639
  3. https://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Players/PlayerOverview.asp?PlayerID=3136
  4. https://ddca.in/aakash-chopra
  5. https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/69845/india-cricket-news-aakash-chopra-announces-retirement-cricbuzzcom
  6. https://starsunfolded.com/aakash-chopra/
  7. https://www.kreedon.com/aakash-chopra-biography
  8. https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/sonnet-club-evicted-venkateshwara-college-delhi-cricket-pant-dhawan-shocked-ashish-nehra/article66800831.ece
  9. https://hinducollege.ac.in/dis-alumni.aspx
  10. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/akash-a-genuine-opening-batsman/story-op4GGrn7N8KcwfQ8vTXhjM.html
  11. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/players/aakash-chopra-3519
  12. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ranji-trophy-plate-league-most-satisfying-knock-aakash-chopra-492873
  13. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/aakash-chopra-switches-from-rajasthan-to-himachal-pradesh-563589
  14. https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Teams/28/28337/Players.html
  15. https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/former-indian-test-opener-aakash-chopra-retires-from-first-class-cricket-1505569
  16. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/aakash-chopra-announces-retirement-826763
  17. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-tour-of-india-2003-04-62130/india-vs-new-zealand-1st-test-64046/full-scorecard
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  19. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-pakistan-2003-04-62332/pakistan-vs-india-1st-test-64081/full-scorecard
  20. https://iplt20stats.com/ipl/auction/aakash-chopra
  21. https://www.iplt20.com/players/aakash-chopra/132
  22. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/indian-premier-league-2007-08-313494/kolkata-knight-riders-vs-delhi-daredevils-35th-match-336017/full-scorecard
  23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6Og4TEflls
  24. https://www.crictracker.com/aakash-chopra-reveals-why-he-chose-hindi-as-his-preferred-medium-for-commentary/
  25. https://www.espncricinfo.com/author/aakash-chopra-276
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  27. https://www.news18.com/cricket/aakash-chopra-exposes-australian-media-for-amped-up-stump-mic-in-ishant-sharma-and-ravindra-jadejas-heated-exchange-at-bgt-9055054.html
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  29. https://twitter.com/cricketaakash/status/1797267641515782543
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  31. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/despair-and-joy-in-the-season-of-a-lifetime/story-iGu5iNwo7gM0CpthxJDRKI.html
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  33. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6dqv3OsLJowYvdUOQ8RHMC
  34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uefVa5FO4N0
  35. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/aakash-chopra-begins-maiden-entrepreneurial-venture/story-09u9Z6rDavSMHUvV7gJaYP.html
  36. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1132310950164468&id=104909716237935&set=a.105332446195662
  37. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/with-ipl-suspended-due-to-pandemic-aakash-chopra-to-commentate-on-digital-matches/story-zQZEhNnyq5mbu9zSc9vGII.html
  38. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQYRGzYaVa7aWd8TsbjdJ6Q
  39. https://zeenews.india.com/photos/sports/happy-birthday-aakash-chopra-inside-his-beautiful-love-story-with-wife-aakshi-and-family-beyond-cricket-2961631
  40. https://starsunfolded.com/aakshi-marthur/
  41. https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ex-india-cricketer-aakash-chopra-shares-cute-photo-of-his-newborn-baby-girl-18462157
  42. https://www.ndtv.com/video/former-cricketer-aakash-chopra-lends-his-support-to-pledge-your-heart-campaign-448435
  43. http://www.cnn.com/2003/SPORT/10/20/cricket.india/
  44. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/indian-catching-5-remembering-akash-chopra-607874
  45. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/laxmans-defiance-helps-indians-draw-after-following-on-20031021-gdhmkx.html
  46. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/off-the-field/aakash-chopras-new-book-to-reveal-what-stats-hide-in-cricket/articleshow/57170022.cms
  47. https://www.abu.org.my/2025/08/22/prasar-bharati-and-cricviz-unveil-the-great-indian-cricket-show/
  48. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.684296804925270&type=3&comment_id=1212195082135437
  49. https://x.com/cricketaakash/status/1879138402865762780
  50. https://www.speakrj.com/audit/report/UCQYRGzYaVa7aWd8TsbjdJ6Q/youtube/summary
  51. https://www.amazon.com/Books-Aakash-Chopra/s?rh=n%253A283155%252Cp_27%253AAakash%252BChopra
  52. https://ddca.in/ddca-team/international-players-from-delhi
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