NEW DELHI: At 18, Saurabh Netravalkar dreamed of representing India at the highest level of international cricket. Though that dream remained unfulfilled, at 32, he now has an extraordinary opportunity to bowl against his homeland at the prestigious Twenty20 World Cup. When the teams clash on Wednesday at Long Island’s Nassau County International Stadium, a billion ardent cricket enthusiasts in India will be watching the left-arm United States pacer with bated breath.
Indian broadcaster Star Sports is promoting the encounter as an epic showdown between Mumbai-born Netravalkar and another U.S. player of Indian lineage, Alabama-born Nosthush Kenjige, against India’s illustrious batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Despite being the tournament favorite, India will approach the match with cautious optimism, having witnessed the U.S. orchestrate a stunning upset by vanquishing Pakistan on Thursday.
From Mumbai to U.S. Stardom: Netravalkar’s Journey
Netravalkar showcased his skills at the junior level for India, representing the country at the Under-19 World Cup in 2009-10 alongside future stars like KL Rahul. Other teammates, such as Mayank Agarwal, Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, and Mandeep Singh, also made their mark on the international stage and secured lucrative Indian Premier League contracts.
While most Indian youngsters dream of reaching such heights, Netravalkar had a backup plan. With determination, he pursued a master’s degree in computer engineering at Cornell University in 2015. A decade later, his prowess with the ball helped his team secure a thrilling Super Over victory against former champions Pakistan.
Nosthush Kenjige’s Path to Success
Kenjige’s journey was equally challenging. After failing to secure a contract in a local T20 league in Karnataka, India, he moved to the U.S. to further his education while nurturing his cricket ambitions. His perseverance paid off, as Kenjige claimed three crucial wickets against Pakistan, showcasing his crafty left-arm spin.
Jones’ Blazing Start to T20 World Cup
American batter Aaron Jones took a different path, honing his skills in Barbados alongside West Indies stalwarts Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder before moving to the U.S. Jones set the tournament ablaze on opening day, scoring a scintillating 94 off just 40 deliveries as the U.S. effortlessly chased down Canada’s formidable total of 194.
Top of the Group
India and the U.S. currently sit atop Group A, having secured two victories each. The U.S. requires just one more win in its remaining two fixtures—against India and Ireland—to cement its place in the Super Eight. Such an achievement would mark a significant milestone for the sport in the country and vindicate the ICC’s bold decision to grant co-hosting rights to the U.S. India, on the other hand, is aware that one more victory will guarantee its progression to the next round.
