Cricket

In a stunning upset at the T20 World Cup, India-born USA pacer Saurabh Netravalkar dismissed star batter Virat Kohli for a golden duck, leaving India in early trouble in their chase of 111.Netravalkar, a 32-year-old techie at Oracle, produced a beautiful full-length delivery that angled across Kohli, who chased it away from his body and edged it straight to wicket-keeper Andries Gous. The dismissal marked Kohli's first-ever golden duck in T20 World Cups and his only second ever in the shortest format.Kohli's poor form continued in the tournament, with scores of 1, 4, and 0 in three outings. After dismissing Kohli, Netravalkar went on to dismiss India skipper Rohit Sharma in his second over, leaving India in a precarious position.Netravalkar, who played for India in the 2010 U-19 World Cup, has been juggling academics and cricket with aplomb. An alumnus of Cornell University, he has shared the dressing room with the likes of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, and even played the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai.Earlier, left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh claimed a career-best 4-9, including two wickets in the first over, as India restricted the USA to 110 for 8. A victory in this match would guarantee a place in the second round Super Eights for both teams.Netravalkar's dismissal of Kohli was a major moment in the match, and it highlighted the growing strength of associate nations in cricket. The USA's stunning win over former champions Pakistan last week was another example of this trend, and it shows that the gap between the top teams and the rest is narrowing.

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.

Saurabh Netravalkar, a former India U-19 left-arm pacer, played a pivotal role in the United States' stunning victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. Despite the team's historic achievement, Netravalkar remains grounded and focused on the next game.Netravalkar's journey is a testament to his dedication and passion for cricket. While pursuing a prestigious degree at Cornell University and working as a senior techie at Oracle, he seamlessly balanced his academic and athletic pursuits."I have never felt the pressure," Netravalkar said. "When you love something, it is never a job for you."In the Super Over against Pakistan, Netravalkar's brilliant bowling helped secure the victory for the United States. He credits his success to the team's strategy and the support of his teammates."The plan was simple," Netravalkar explained. "I would try and bowl wide yorkers to the right-handers and keep it out of their range."Despite the team's success, Netravalkar acknowledges that pursuing a full-time cricket career in the United States remains a challenge. However, he is optimistic about the future of cricket in the country."The best part is that I have got very supportive bosses at Oracle," Netravalkar said. "I am allowed to work remotely when I am on tour, playing for the United States."Netravalkar's story is an inspiration to aspiring cricketers in the United States. He demonstrates that with hard work, dedication, and a supportive environment, it is possible to achieve success in both sports and professional life.

The United States' stunning victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup has brought to light the remarkable stories of the team's players. These individuals have overcome challenges, pursued their dreams, and found a second chance at cricket in the land of opportunity.Monank Patel: The team's captain, Patel moved to the US in 2016 to pursue his cricketing career. He teaches cricket to children and runs coaching clinics when not playing for his country.Saurabh Netravalkar: A brilliant academic, Netravalkar faced some of England's best U-19 players in the 2010 World Cup. He holds an MS in computer science from Cornell University and works as a senior technologist at Oracle.Harmeet Singh: Once a promising talent, Singh lost his way but found redemption in the US. He has been a reliable player for the team, including in the recent series against Bangladesh.Nosthush Kenjige: Born in Alabama, Kenjige learned to spin at the age of 13. He moved to Bengaluru to pursue cricket but returned home to study bio-medical engineering. He eventually joined the USA's WCL Division 4 team.Milind Kumar: After a disappointing career in India, Kumar moved to the US and performed well in local competitions. He is an excellent fielder, as evidenced by his crucial catch in the Super Over against Pakistan.Nitish Kumar: At 16, Kumar became the youngest player to play a 50-over World Cup match for Canada. He hit the boundary off Haris Rauf's final delivery in the match against Pakistan.Jaspreet "Jessy" Singh: Born in New Jersey, Singh left everything to double his practice hours. He has become an essential member of the team's speed attack.These players represent the diversity and determination of the USA's T20 World Cup team. They have overcome obstacles, embraced new opportunities, and proven that anything is possible with hard work and perseverance.