Agni Dev Chopra, son of Film director Vidhu Vinod Chopra, joins PSL Auction

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In a surprising turn for cricket enthusiasts, Agni Dev Chopra, the 27-year-old son of renowned Bollywood filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra and film critic Anupama Chopra, has thrown his hat into the ring for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 player auction.

Born in Detroit, USA, and holding a US passport, Agni has registered as an overseas associate player from the United States, with a base price of PKR 600,000 (approximately ₹1.9 lakh or $2,100). This move comes amid the PSL's historic transition from a draft system to an open auction format, set for February 11, 2026, in Lahore.

Agni's cricket journey has been nothing short of remarkable. He burst onto the Indian domestic scene playing for Mizoram in the Ranji Trophy, where he became the first player in first-class history to score centuries in his initial four matches during the 2023-24 season. He clinched the Madhavrao Scindia Award as the highest run-scorer in the Ranji Plate Group that year. In the following 2024-25 season, he maintained an astonishing average of 94.94, amassing over 1,800 runs in 11 first-class appearances. A left-handed batsman and right-arm off-spinner, Agni also featured in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), showcasing his all-round potential.

How has Agni Chopra joined PSL Auction?

However, a 2024 BCCI rule change restricting domestic participation to Indian passport holders forced Agni out of the Indian circuit. Opting for the American pathway, he signed with MI New York for the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) season, paving the way for his PSL entry. This shift allows him to bypass BCCI restrictions on active Indian players in overseas T20 leagues, positioning him for a potential USA national team debut.

The PSL 2026 auction introduces exciting reforms: an increased franchise purse of PKR 50.5 crore, allowance for one direct foreign signing, and squads of 16-20 players with mandatory uncapped U-23 inclusions. With the league expanding to eight teams, including new franchises in Hyderabad and Sialkot, Agni joins a pool of USA talents like Ali Khan and Nitish Kumar, all at similar base prices.

How have Agni Chopra's parents reacted?

Agni's parents have advocated for Indo-Pak harmony, with Vidhu's film Shikara promoting 'aman ki asha' and Anupama critiquing anti-Pakistan portrayals. As the auction nears, Agni's bid could spark cross-border intrigue, blending Bollywood legacy with cricketing ambition in the high-stakes T20 arena.