Agni Chopra, the son of renowned director Vidhu Vinod Chopra, is playing for MI New York in the Major League Cricket (MLC). The majority of cricket fans were shocked and confused seeing him play in a foreign league, particularly after viewing him during the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season in India where he represented Mizoram. This caused questions, how does he get to play in the MLC if the BCCI won't permit active Indian players to join overseas leagues?
Born in USA, Not Under BCCI Ordinance
Here's why: Agni Chopra does not have an Indian passport. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, and is therefore a U.S. citizen. For this reason, he is not covered under BCCI's ordinance which prevents Indian players from playing for foreign T20 leagues. That ordinance pertains only to Indian passport holders.
But there is a catch to the situation. Though his American citizenship enables him to play abroad, new regulations by BCCI now prevent non-Indian passport holders from playing Indian domestic cricket. Therefore, from now, Agni cannot play domestic games such as Ranji Trophy again until he is an Indian citizen.
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A Rising Star in Domestic Cricket
Image Source: Agni Chopra
Agni Chopra was a star of the past two Ranji seasons. He became the first player in history to score a First-Class century in his initial four matches. In the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy, representing Mizoram, he scored 939 runs and received the Madhavrao Scindia Award. He carried on playing in this vein in 2024–25, scoring 865 runs for an incredible average of 123.57.
Overall, in 11 First-Class matches, Agni has scored 1804 runs at an average of 94.94. He has accumulated these runs with the help of nine centuries and five half-centuries.
Most people thought Agni would be drafted into the IPL, but nothing came of that. He once mentioned that he would have requested an Indian passport if drafted into the IPL. But after once again being overlooked, he put himself into the MLC 2025 draft, where MI New York drafted him for USD 50,000.
So far in the MLC, his beginning has been sluggish, he scored 5 runs in the first game and 8 in the second, but playing in a global league is a huge step for his career.
No Need to Retire Like Others
Agni’s case is very different from other Indian players like or Yuvraj Singh, who had to retire and get special permission to play in foreign leagues. Since Agni isn’t an Indian passport holder, he doesn’t need to retire or ask for permission from BCCI.
