'How did you get in KKR squad' - Aakash Chopra reacts to the meme showing his poor IPL record

Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra was recently involved in a Twitter exchange about his T20 career. While Chopra boasts an impressive domestic record, his stats in the Indian Premier League are rather disappointing.

Chopra, who plied his trade for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the first two seasons of the tournament, played only seven games in which he gathered 53 runs at an average of 8.83. Chopra’s strike-rate was also a meagre 74.64 with best score of 24.

In his second and final season with the Kolkata franchise, he was sent back to India from South Africa along with Sanjay Bangar. During the edition which was held in the rainbow nation back in 2009, the KKR team-management felt Chopra and Bangar didn’t fit in the ‘scheme of things’.

Fortunate to be in the list of players who’ve represented India in Tests: Aakash Chopra

Talking about Chopra’s Twitter exchange, it all started with a meme mentioning his poor batting record in the cash-rich league. The meme did make Chopra chuckle but he mentioned that he feels lucky to be amongst players who’ve represented India in the Test format.

“It’s funny for sure. But If this was indeed the case, I can’t thank my folks enough to push me to play cricket first…fortunate to be in a list of just 296 players who’ve got the chance to represent India in Tests,” responded Chopra to the meme.

Another user also took a sly dig at Chopra and asked– “Sir how did you get in the squad? I also want to play for KKR.” Chopra, however, had a fitting reply this time. He mentioned his impressive List A record which helped him in bagging an IPL contract.

“That’s a good one. Lemme go back in time—since there was no domestic T20 at that time, teams went with List-A records, I think. I averaged 346 that year in List-A for Delhi. If my memory is serving me right…3 unbeaten centuries in 4 or 5 games Good luck with ur selection Raising hands,” he wrote.

Chopra continued further by answering another question hurled at him. A follower asked the former India Test opener if he tweaked his technique for T20s.

“I tried man. But it didn’t work out. Mentally or technically. But glad I tried….or I wouldn’t have known that I wasn’t cut out for the shortest format of cricket….along with many other things in life,” responded Chopra.