Dependable at the top of the order and an inspirational leader, Chopra represented India during a transformative period for the women’s game, helping establish the national side among the world’s leading teams.
Known for her composure at the crease, elegant strokeplay, tactical understanding and commitment to the team’s cause on the field, Chopra’s influence extended beyond her own performances, as it helped galvanise the growth of women’s cricket in India.
Across a 17-year international career, she scored more than 3,500 international runs, captained her country with distinction and became the first Indian woman to play 100 One Day Internationals.
Building a foundation for Indian women’s cricket
An active sportsperson in her youth, Chopra represented schools and colleges in athletics, basketball and swimming, while representing New Delhi in cricket at youth level.
Her ability was obvious to those around her, though, like many to grow into the game; she was trusted more with the ball than with the bat, though she eventually shone with the latter as time went on.
Chopra made her international debut as a teenager against New Zealand in 1995, opening the bowling, though she showed steel down at No.10 in a death-over situation, helping Pramila Bhatt complete a two-wicket win in the penultimate over of the match.
A Test debut followed in November against England in the same year, and her batting qualities that would go on to show themselves first came to the fore. Sent in to see off the English attack in an evening session in Kolkata, a resolute Chopra saw off the tourists’ threat and helped the hosts to a first-innings lead.
Chopra quickly established herself as one of India’s most reliable batters at a time when opportunities in the women’s game were limited.
