WHY AKASH CHOPRA LEFT CRICKET

Akash Chopra is a former Indian cricketer who played 10 Tests and seven One Day Internationals (ODIs) for India. After a promising start to his domestic career, Chopra was selected for the Indian team in 2003. However, he struggled to cement his place in the side and eventually retired from international cricket in 2007.

Early Life and Career

Akash Chopra was born in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, on September 19, 1977. He started playing cricket at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks. He made his first-class debut for Delhi in 1997 and scored a century in his first match. Chopra soon became a regular member of the Delhi team and was also selected for the North Zone team in the Duleep Trophy.

International Career

Chopra's consistent performances in domestic cricket earned him a call-up to the Indian team in 2003. He made his Test debut against New Zealand in Auckland and scored a half-century in the second innings. Chopra also played in the ODI series against New Zealand and scored a century in the second match.

However, Chopra's international career was short-lived. He struggled to maintain his form and was dropped from the team after a few matches. He was recalled to the team in 2006 but again failed to impress. Chopra eventually retired from international cricket in 2007.

Reasons for Leaving Cricket

There are several reasons why Akash Chopra left cricket.

1. Poor Form: Chopra's form dipped significantly after he was selected for the Indian team. He struggled to score runs consistently and was often dismissed cheaply.

2. Competition: The Indian team had a number of talented batsmen at the time, and Chopra faced stiff competition for a place in the side.

3. Injuries: Chopra also suffered from a number of injuries during his career. These injuries prevented him from playing regularly and also affected his form.

4. Personal Reasons: Chopra has also stated that he left cricket for personal reasons. He wanted to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests.

Life After Cricket

After retiring from cricket, Chopra has pursued a career in commentary and journalism. He is a regular commentator on cricket matches for Star Sports and ESPNcricinfo. Chopra has also written several columns and articles on cricket.

Chopra is also a successful businessman. He is the co-founder of Cricbuzz, a popular cricket website. Chopra is also a director of the Rajasthan Royals, an Indian Premier League (IPL) team.

Conclusion

Akash Chopra had a brief but eventful international cricket career. He showed a lot of promise at the start of his career but was unable to maintain his form. Chopra eventually retired from cricket in 2007 and has since pursued a successful career in commentary and journalism.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why did Akash Chopra leave cricket?
Chopra left cricket due to a combination of factors, including poor form, competition, injuries, and personal reasons.

2. What is Akash Chopra doing now?
Chopra is now a successful commentator and journalist. He is also a co-founder of Cricbuzz and a director of the Rajasthan Royals.

3. How many Test matches did Akash Chopra play?
Chopra played 10 Test matches for India.

4. How many ODI matches did Akash Chopra play?
Chopra played seven ODI matches for India.

5. What is Akash Chopra's highest score in Test cricket?
Chopra's highest score in Test cricket is 103, which he scored against New Zealand in 2003.