Aakash Chopra switches to Himachal Pradesh

Aakash Chopra, the former India opener, will switch from Rajasthan to Himachal Pradesh for the upcoming domestic season. Chopra is originally from Delhi but played the previous two seasons for Rajasthan, helping them to the Ranji title on both occasions.

Thanks for all the wishes for d upcoming Ranji season with Himachal Pradesh. Yes, I have decided to move on...HPCA it is for the next season

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 11, 2012

Chopra, on Twitter, looked back with pride at his time with Rajasthan. "Thoroughly enjoyed my time with Rajasthan and I will miss the team camaraderie the most. The happiest dressing room I've been a part of," he tweeted. "It was a tough decision but had to be taken...nothing excites me more than getting out of my comfort zone! New challenges...new beginnings!"

Chopra was the linchpin of Rajasthan's batting during their sterling march from the Plate to Elite division in 2010-11. He scored 539 runs at 89.83 in the Plate games. That run included an unbeaten triple-century against Maharashtra, his highest first-class score to date. In the semi-final against Elite team Tamil Nadu, he scored a century, helping set up Rajasthan's victory through the first-innings lead. Chopra chronicled their unlikely triumph in his book, Out of the Blue. The following season, as Rajasthan successfully defended their title, Chopra put in another solid showing, with 615 runs at 43.92 from nine games.