Aakash Chopra backs tennis-ball cricketers, says talent shouldn’t be limited to leather-ball cricket

Delhi [India], March 28, 2026: Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has advocated for recognising tennis-ball cricket talent, emphasizing that skill and innovation from grassroots formats deserve equal opportunities on bigger platforms like the Beyond Reach Premier League (BRPL).

Reflecting on his own journey, Akash Chopra said he did not experience gully or tennis-ball cricket, having entered structured cricket at a very young age.

"Actually, I did not play tennis ball cricket. I started with a season ball. I joined a cricket club at the age of 9. So I was young, at the age where I should be playing tennis cricket or gully cricket, but I did not get to play and we were playing with the leather ball," said Aakash Chopra.Highlighting the distinct skill set of tennis-ball cricket, Aakash Chopra stressed that the format produces exceptional and often underrated talent.

“These are two different balls, and why should talent be hostage to the leather ball? When I look back now, after seeing a lot of tennis-ball cricket across the country, the quality is outstanding — the stroke-making, the bowling, especially variations like leg cutters and off cutters,” he added.

The former Indian cricketer further underlined that the perception around tennis-ball cricket needs to evolve, as it demands a different yet equally valuable skill set.

“If we think that if you don’t play with the leather ball, you don’t have a future, that’s not right. It is still a sport played with a bat and ball — just a different skill set, and one that deserves recognition,” Aakash Chopra said.

BRPL is open to aspiring and semi-professional cricketers aged 18–40, welcoming participants from 28 states and 8 Union Territories across India.