Agni Chopra: The American Cricketer Making Waves in Major League Cricket
Agni Chopra's Unique Journey in Cricket
Agni Chopra, the son of acclaimed filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, is currently representing MI New York in the Major League Cricket (MLC). Many cricket enthusiasts were taken aback to see him participating in an international league, especially after his recent performances in the 2024โ25 Ranji Trophy season for Mizoram in India. This has raised questions about how he is eligible to play in the MLC, given that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not allow active Indian players to join overseas leagues.
Born in the USA: A Different Status
๐๐ญ๐๐๐๐ฒ,
โ MI New York (@MINYCricket) June 12, 2025
๐ ๐จ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐,
& ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ฅ#OneFamily #MINewYork #MLC2025 | Agni Chopra pic.twitter.com/kBr0H7xx0J
The reason behind this is that Agni Chopra holds U.S. citizenship, having been born in Detroit, Michigan. Consequently, he is not subject to the BCCI's regulations that restrict Indian passport holders from participating in foreign T20 leagues.
However, there is a significant twist. While his American citizenship allows him to compete internationally, new BCCI rules now bar non-Indian passport holders from participating in Indian domestic cricket. This means Agni will not be able to play in domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy unless he acquires Indian citizenship.
A Promising Talent in Domestic Cricket
Image Source: Agni Chopra
Agni has made a name for himself in the last two Ranji seasons, becoming the first player to score a First-Class century in his first four matches. During the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy, he amassed 939 runs while playing for Mizoram, earning the prestigious Madhavrao Scindia Award. He continued his impressive form in the 2024-25 season, scoring 865 runs with an outstanding average of 123.57.
In total, Agni has played 11 First-Class matches, accumulating 1804 runs at an average of 94.94, including nine centuries and five half-centuries.
Despite expectations that he would be selected for the IPL, he was not drafted. He previously stated that he would have sought an Indian passport had he been picked for the IPL. After being overlooked again, he entered the MLC 2025 draft, where MI New York selected him for $50,000.
His start in the MLC has been modest, with scores of 5 and 8 in his first two matches, but participating in a global league marks a significant milestone in his career.
A Different Path from Other Players
Agni's situation contrasts sharply with other Indian players like Unmukt Chand and Yuvraj Singh, who had to retire and seek special permission to play in foreign leagues. Since Agni does not hold an Indian passport, he is not required to retire or obtain permission from the BCCI.