Former England Under-19 skipper who made good strides during the 2005 season with some eye-catching performances for the 2nd XI. International commitments at junior level hampered his chances of a first-team debut that year but finally got his opportunity at the start of the following season when he played in the opening match against Loughborough UCCE at The Ford County Ground. An injury to Will Jefferson and international commitments for Alastair Cook meant an opening berth was available for Chopra to make the most of during the 2006 season.

The right-hander became, at 18 years 338 days, the youngest Essex player to make a Championship century on debut against Gloucestershire at The Ford County Ground that May. Another four half-centuries followed that year in what turned out to be a highly-promising first season. Unfortunately ‘second season syndrome’ hit Chopra in 2007 as he struggled for runs along with the rest of the top-order. Chopra has since wintered well in Australia and will be aiming to get back on track with a new opening partner in Jason Gallian in 2008.