No more on-field action for Aakash Chopra

JAIPUR: Aakash Chopra, who helped Rajasthan rise from the depths of obscurity to become Ranji Trophy winners twice, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Friday.
The former India opener played his last competitive match for Himachal Pradesh against Punjab during the 2013-14 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament.
"Starting from scratch and climbing on to two successive titles was a dream come true.It was the best period of my career and I had enjoyed playing for Rajasthan. The dressing room atmosphere was fabulous and we all were like family," Chopra, who now writes and commentates on the game, reminisced.
Chopra scored over 10,000 runs and hit 29 centuries over 15 seasons for Delhi, Rajasthan and Himachal. He played 10 Test matches for India from 2003 to 2004 as Virender Sehwag's opening partner.
He played against New Zealand at home in a two-Test series and was part of the Indian team on tours of Australia and Pakistan.
"I should have achieved more, that is the feeling that will always linger. At the same time, I don't think I was supremely talented," he said. "Some of my peers were far more talented and I was the fortunate one who ended up playing for the country."
Chopra, who has a wealth of experience playing in a variety of conditions, made his Ranji Trophy debut in the 199798 season and scored a century. He went on to score 5,075 runs over 78 matches.
He shifted base to Rajasthan in 2009 and helped the team register back-to-back Ranji Trophy triumphs in 200910 and 201011 seasons. BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel paid tribute to Chopra, saying he was one of the best opening batsmen produced by the country.