<p>Former India opener Aakash Chopra today formally announced his retirement from all forms of competitive cricket after a career spanning over 15 years in which he also played 10 Test matches for the country during the 2003-04 season.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In his 10-Test career, Chopra scored 437 runs at a mediocre average of 23 with both his half-centuries coming against New Zealand at Mohali.<br /><br />However, it was the subsequent Test series Down Under against Australia, which brought him into prominence despite failing to score a single half-century.<br /><br />But his scores of 36, 27, 48 and 45 meant that he blunted the new ball attack comprising of Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Brad Williams, Nathan Bracken and Andy Bichel.<br /><br />His dogged defending gave Virender Sehwag a chance to play his natural game. A poor series in Pakistan followed by another dismal show against Australia at home ended Chopra's international career.<br /><br />However he was a giant in domestic cricket having scored 10,839 runs from 162 first-class matches with 29 centuries and a highest score of 301.<br /><br />"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," Chopra told ESPN Cricinfo after his retirement.<br />"Some of my peers were far more talented and I was the fortunate one who ended up playing for the country. I would always remain the 245th player to represent India in Test match cricket," he added.<br /><br />The BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel also sent a congratulatory message to Chopra and wished him well on his future endeavours.<br /><br />"Aakash Chopra was one of the best opening batsmen produced by the country. He had a long and illustrious first - class career, and was part of Delhi and Rajasthan teams that won the Ranji Trophy. <br /><br />He was a key member of the Indian team that created history in 2003-04 by winning a Test series in Pakistan. On behalf of the BCCI, I would like to congratulate him on a memorable innings and wish him all the best for his future," Patel was quoted as saying by official BCCI statement. <br /></p>
<p>Former India opener Aakash Chopra today formally announced his retirement from all forms of competitive cricket after a career spanning over 15 years in which he also played 10 Test matches for the country during the 2003-04 season.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In his 10-Test career, Chopra scored 437 runs at a mediocre average of 23 with both his half-centuries coming against New Zealand at Mohali.<br /><br />However, it was the subsequent Test series Down Under against Australia, which brought him into prominence despite failing to score a single half-century.<br /><br />But his scores of 36, 27, 48 and 45 meant that he blunted the new ball attack comprising of Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Brad Williams, Nathan Bracken and Andy Bichel.<br /><br />His dogged defending gave Virender Sehwag a chance to play his natural game. A poor series in Pakistan followed by another dismal show against Australia at home ended Chopra's international career.<br /><br />However he was a giant in domestic cricket having scored 10,839 runs from 162 first-class matches with 29 centuries and a highest score of 301.<br /><br />"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," Chopra told ESPN Cricinfo after his retirement.<br />"Some of my peers were far more talented and I was the fortunate one who ended up playing for the country. I would always remain the 245th player to represent India in Test match cricket," he added.<br /><br />The BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel also sent a congratulatory message to Chopra and wished him well on his future endeavours.<br /><br />"Aakash Chopra was one of the best opening batsmen produced by the country. He had a long and illustrious first - class career, and was part of Delhi and Rajasthan teams that won the Ranji Trophy. <br /><br />He was a key member of the Indian team that created history in 2003-04 by winning a Test series in Pakistan. On behalf of the BCCI, I would like to congratulate him on a memorable innings and wish him all the best for his future," Patel was quoted as saying by official BCCI statement. <br /></p>