Aakash Chopra - Early Years

Early Years

A classical opening batsman, Chopra was known more for his solid technique and defence than for his flamboyant stroke-play, typically trying to wait for the new ball to lose its shine, rather than hitting the shine off the ball. An opener in his state team, Delhi, Chopra made his domestic limited overs debut in the 1996/97 season, before debuting the following season in 1997/98 in the Ranji Trophy. He batted productively in his first season, compiling 422 runs at 70.33 including two centuries. He was rewarded with selection for North Zone in his first year, playing in their only Duleep Trophy match and compiling half-centuries in both innings. His second season however, was poor compiling only 117 runs at an average of 19.5, resulting in his omission from the North Zone team. Chopra recovered in his third Ranji season, scoring 309 runs at 44 including one century, but was again overlooked as North Zone went on to claim the Duleep Trophy. He continued his form the following season with 617 runs at 68.55, including two centuries including a double century, 222. Chopra bounced back from his omission from the previous season's Duleep winning North Zone team, scoring two centuries and averaging 74.5 as they completed consecutive titles. Chopra compiled 479 at 53 with one century in the following Ranji campaign. His Duleep Trophy performances were better, compiling 478 runs at 95.6, including two centuries in four matches, ranking him fourth in the run scoring list, but was unable to secure a hat-trick of Duleep titles for North Zone. Chopra continued his consistent form in the Ranji Trophy in 2002/03 with 525 runs at 47.7, but was forced to miss the Duleep campaign due to injury.