Indian-Born Netravalkar to Bowl Against India at T20 World Cup

At the tender age of 18, Saurabh Netravalkar's dream of representing India in international cricket seemed within reach. However, as fate would have it, that aspiration remained unfulfilled. Now, at 32, Netravalkar finds himself on the cusp of an extraordinary opportunity to bowl against his nation of birth at the prestigious Twenty20 World Cup.

When India and the United States clash on Wednesday at Long Island's Nassau County International Stadium, a billion ardent cricket enthusiasts back in India will be watching the left-arm United States pacer with bated breath. Netravalkar, who hails from Mumbai, will be joined by another U.S. player of Indian lineage, Alabama-born Nosthush Kenjige, as they face off 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 in world cricket by vanquishing Pakistan on Thursday. Netravalkar, who showcased his skills at the junior level for India, is now a key member of the U.S. team that has taken the tournament by storm.

Netravalkar's journey to the U.S. was driven by a well-defined strategy. After failing to secure a lucrative Indian Premier League contract, he embarked on a master's degree in computer engineering at Cornell University in 2015. A decade later, his prowess with the ball propelled his team to a thrilling Super Over victory against former champions Pakistan.

Kenjige's path to success was equally challenging. Despite failing to secure a contract in a local T20 league in Karnataka, India, he ventured to the U.S. to further his education while nurturing his cricketing ambitions. His perseverance paid off as Kenjige claimed three crucial wickets against Pakistan, showcasing his crafty left-arm spin.

American batter Aaron Jones has also made a significant impact in the tournament, amassing a scintillating 94 off a mere 40 deliveries as the U.S. effortlessly chased down Canada's formidable total of 194.

India and the U.S. currently sit atop Group A, having secured two victories apiece. 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 wholly vindicate the ICC's bold decision to grant co-hosting rights to the U.S..

India, on the other hand, is acutely aware that one more victory will guarantee its progression to the next round. The stage is set for an epic showdown between two nations with a shared cricketing heritage, as Netravalkar and Kenjige prepare to face off against their former countrymen.

Tags: #T20WorldCup, #India, #USA, #SaurabhNetravalkar, #NosthushKenjige