Co-hosts USA kicked off T20 World Cup 2024 in style with a grand run chase against Canada. Then, they stunned the cricketing fraternity by getting better of Pakistan in a match that was decided in super over. Former India Under-19 cricketer Saurabh Netravalkar became the start as he bowled a brilliant super over before dismissing Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed. On the eve of India’s clash against USA, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey was asked about Netravalkar who played First-Class cricket for Mumbai.
“I am extremely happy for him. I remember Saurabh played a couple of games for us (Mumbai), even though it was after my time. It is not an easy decision to leave India, but he has been successful. He gives hope to others. It tells people in India that if you don’t make it in India, you can make it elsewhere. I have read that he works for Oracle. He is a semi-professional cricketer. That is not easy,” Mhambrey said in the pre-match press conference.
Netravalkar was economical against Canada conceding 16 runs from two overs. The 32-year-old left-arm pacer has 29 wickets from as many T20Is. His economy rate is 6.62 runs per over.
Netravalkar’s journey
Netravalkar spoke to India Today in an exclusive interview and recounted his journey from playing in India's Under-19 team to representing USA in T20 World Cup 2024.
"I can take it to under-19, when I played in 2010 for the Indian team. Parallelly, I was also doing my engineering. My bachelors was rom 2009 to 2013, so I was juggling between both. It is a good thing that I had a passion for both. In 2013, there came a point when I had to make a call. I was offered a job as a software engineer in India. But I decided not to take it up and then give two years to cricket," he said.
"I trained hard with everybody's support, made it to the Mumbai team. I played for two seasons, but then I realised at the end of the second year, that I was in and out of the side and was not making it to the next stage, like the senior Indian team or an IPL contract. So I thought if I'm not making it to the next stage then I should pursue my other passion. It was definitely very emotional for me to leave cricket and come here, but then I thought that it was the more practical call," Netravalkar added.
USA’s qualification scenario
Even if USA lose to India on June 12 in New York, a win against Ireland will seal their spot in Super 8s knocking out Babar Azam’s Pakistan. If they lose both matches and Pakistan beat Ireland, NRR will decide which team will progress in the tournament.
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