An interview with Aakash Chopra - Get your questions in

[The Outsider]

Gambit has arranged for Aakash Chopra to take out some time and answer a few questions for ICF. So, get the ball rolling guys.....we'll probably end up selecting a list of around 15 questions at the end.

[Sachinism]

Great to see this make use of your contacts guys

[Ram]

You made a bucketful of runs last FC season, yet didnt make it to the Test squad for Aus, despite being in the provisional list. How much of a disappointment was there, when you missed out? Sehwag has come back with a bang, but there's still uncertainty about the other opening spot. How will you rate your chances? There's a general criticism that you are not attacking enough, for an opener. How would you respond to those? ------ Why did you choose not to join ICL? Any comments on the just-ended IPL? ------- You are known to be one India's best ever close-in catchers, which is odd for an opener. Did you practice a lot to acquire those skills? You write quite extensively and well. Is writing something you had done all along, or you just started recently? We heard you are about to get a new book out? Any sneeak previews on that? Your best memory so far, from the time you spent with the Indian team?

[Desi Cartman]

Great to see this make use of your contacts guys

Their cricketers have some free time since they are either banned to play for Pak or they are waiting to play in some 3rd grade T20 championship in North America that too in a months time :giggle:

[msb1991]

Q. How would you compare club cricket in England to domestic cricket for Delhi and zonal cricket for North Zone. Is there a large difference in resources, coaching, facilities, etc, in the three or are the three experiences quite similar?

[Ram]

Pjilka and Desi, lets just stick to Aakash shall we? :D

[Desi Cartman]

Pjilka and Desi' date=' lets just stick to Aakash shall we? :D[/quote'] yes Sir ... :hatsoff:

[Sachinism]

Which young players do you feel have the potential to be all time greats?

[SachDan]

Its now almost certain that you are not in the reckonig for a slot in the Indian team.So how do you try to motivate your self playing in the First Class matches?

[kumble_rocks]

First of all , would like to comment you for being one of the best fielders India has produced. Now, the question - How difficult is it for the likes of you to transition into more stroke play mode which is the order of the day especially in the shorter versions of the game . I know VVS has the new lofted shot in his repertoire which happens to be a hoick on the leg side . He was partly successful playing this stroke for Deccan Chargers. Have you also retooled yourself with more strokes especially for T20 in the coming seasons.

[amits]

any new shots u r planning to play in 50-overs & 20/20 cricket? also do u c urself becoming succesful in 20/20 cricket?

[THX_1138]

Q. Hey Akaash... you played a pivotal role in the 2003-2004 test series against australia where you and sehwag were resilient in your defense against the aussie pace attack. However, you did not capitalize on any of the starts to make a big one... was that due to some particular reason, maybe a shortcoming that you fixed later on? and what advise do you have for opening batsmen? do you talk to yourself to strengthen your resolve and steel your nerves before every delievery? and finally as a batsmen, must and opener play on the frontfoot or the backfoot to a fast bowler?

[dial_100]

No questions. Just tell him that I miss him as an opener. I would like to wish him Best to get back in the TEST team.

[Predator_05]

Q) I was really impressed by you when i watched you score 40 on debut against NZ. What were your feelings going into the match ?

[ludhianvi]

How did you take up cricket as a youngster? Was cricket your favorite sport from the beginning or did you play other sports as well? And who was your inspirational cricketer while growing and who you looked upto? Having played the IPL for the Kolkata Knight Riders, how much different is playing ODI cricket from t20. Furthermore, what benefits do you see coming out of leagues like IPL and what was your overall experience of the IPL? If its ok with you, please share some interesting or funny stories in the dressing room either while playing for Delhi or for the Indian team.

[Sachinism]

What do you think of IPL and T20 cricket Do you feel its good for the game?

[Guest Hiten.]

Aakash, despite having a considerable amount of success in the First-Class cricket do you think you were hard done/overlooked by the BCCI selectors ? Do you at any stage consider yourself unlucky for not getting enough chance(s) to prove yourself ? Realistically speaking, do you foresee yourself in Indian test kit again ? How was your experience with Kolkata Knight Riders ? Did you really have to try hard from being a conventional cricketer to an unorthodox ? Do you fear IPL taking the limelight away from test cricket ?

[satishg]

we all know that you and sehwag were extremely successful as an opening pair. So when you were dropped unfairly because the team wanted Yuvi as the other opener in the 2004 home series against Australia, how did u take it? When you must have heard about your selection into the Indian team for the 2003 Australian tour, how did you change your preparation considering the fact that it would have been the first time in your career that you would be facing bowlers like Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie quality? So did you do anything different to get yourselves accustomed to that pace? Where do you think India is getting it wrong as far as the quality of opening batters are concerned?Do you think it has to do something with the flat nature of Indian pitches where everybody seems to prosper and when they go out of the country they turn into a failure and do you think there are quality test openers around in our country right now?

[Holysmoke]

How was it to share a dressing room with Tendulkar :D

[sandtest]

Akash, (1) How you will describe BCCIs support in nurtruring and bringing new faces from domestic.? (2) How neutral BCCI as an agency is when it comes to providing opportunity to the domestic players at international stage based on their performance? PS: If you feel the scope of answer steps over the guidelines, you may not answer them.