Cricket

Saurabh Netravalkar, the Mumbai-born USA pacer, has emerged as a star performer in the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup. His impressive performances have not only caught the attention of cricket fans but also earned him praise from legendary Indian cricketers.Netravalkar's journey to the international stage has been a remarkable one. He represented India in the 2010 U19 World Cup before moving to the United States to pursue his engineering studies. Despite his academic commitments, Netravalkar continued to play cricket and eventually made his debut for the USA national team in 2022.In the 2024 T20 World Cup, Netravalkar has been a key figure for USA. He delivered a nerveless Super Over to secure a thrilling victory against Pakistan in their opening match. In the subsequent game against India, he dismissed both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of the most feared batsmen in world cricket.After the match against India, Netravalkar expressed his emotions, saying, "It was an emotional moment for me. I played the 2010 U19 World Cup for India too, and it was a special feeling to play against them."Netravalkar's performances have not gone unnoticed by former Indian cricketers. Navjot Singh Sidhu praised him for his all-round abilities, saying, "You're all-in-one my friend! You're an engineer, you're Suryakumar Yadav's friend, and now you're taking wickets against India! Love you."Harbhajan Singh also joined in the chorus of praise, saying, "I wanted to thank him for that Super Over against Pakistan. And the courage he showed while bowling today (against India) won my heart."Netravalkar's efforts have been instrumental in USA's impressive run in the tournament. With four wickets in three matches at an economy rate of just 5.20, he has played a crucial role in helping his team qualify for the Super 8.USA will face Ireland on June 14 in a match that will determine their fate in the tournament. A victory over Ireland will send USA through to the Super 8 from Group A, confirming Pakistan's elimination in the process.

Saurabh Netravalkar's journey from Mumbai journeyman to T20 World Cup sensation has been a remarkable one. After struggling to break into the Indian cricket scene, Netravalkar pursued a career in coding at Oracle. However, his passion for cricket remained, and he continued to play for the USA national team.Netravalkar's breakthrough moment came in the T20 World Cup Super Over against Pakistan, where he dismissed Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to secure a thrilling victory. His performance caught the attention of the cricketing world, and he followed it up with the wickets of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in India's match against the USA.Netravalkar's success is a testament to his perseverance and determination. Despite facing setbacks in his cricket career, he never gave up on his dream. He also credits his success to his ability to balance his passions for cricket and coding."I am just happy that I can pursue both my passions," Netravalkar said. "It is all happening very fast and I am in the process of digesting it."Netravalkar's performance has not only been a personal triumph but also a boost for cricket in the USA. The co-hosts of the T20 World Cup are hoping to use the tournament to grow the sport in the country, and Netravalkar's success is a major step in that direction."If our performances help the sport grow here and become part of the school and college curriculum, we will know we are on the right track," Netravalkar said.

The United States cricket team, making its debut in the T20 World Cup, has made a strong impression with its impressive performances. After securing victories against Ireland and Pakistan, the USA currently holds the second position in Group A. They have a higher chance of qualifying for the Super 8 stage than Pakistan. However, recent events have cast a shadow over the team's success.USA batter Jaskaran Malhotra, who was excluded from the squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup, engaged in a public dispute with USA pacer Ali Khan on social media. During the team's loss to India, USA batter Shayan Jahangir was dismissed for a golden duck. Malhotra seized the opportunity to mock Jahangir, who had previously expressed his desire to demonstrate his superiority to Virat Kohli. Ali Khan responded by criticizing his former teammate's actions.Malhotra shared a meme on social media featuring an old quote from Jahangir, in which he expressed his ambition to face Virat Kohli and prove his dominance. Malhotra added a caption stating, "And this happened when he played against Virat and his team," along with an image of Jahangir being dismissed for a first-ball zero. Ironically, Kohli was also dismissed for a golden duck during India's run-chase, with former India U19 bowler Saurabh Netravalkar dismissing both him and skipper Rohit Sharma.After being omitted from the USA's T20 World Cup squad, Malhotra, known as "Mr Six Sixes #worldrecordholder," has been engaging in social media conflicts with his former USA teammates.Ali Khan expressed his disappointment, stating, "Never expected this from my ex teammate. Hate towards another player! Very unprofessional of you." Malhotra later deleted his original post and responded to Ali Khan, emphasizing his unwavering support for the USA cricket team.Malhotra's exclusion from the USA squad in favor of Jahangir appears to have caused some resentment, which has manifested in his social media actions.Despite their strong start, the USA team was brought back to reality by Team India, who struggled to secure a victory despite a top-order collapse. Suryakumar Yadav scored his first fifty of the tournament, guiding India to victory in 18.2 overs while chasing 111.The USA's fate remains in their own hands, as they can secure a Super 8 berth with a victory over Ireland on June 14.

India-born American medium pacer Saurabh Netravalkar's heartwarming reunion with Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav after the T20 World Cup match in New York was a testament to their shared past and the enduring bonds of cricket. Netravalkar, who has been a standout performer for the USA in the tournament, reminisced about his playing days with his former Mumbai teammates, recalling jokes, casual conversations, and dressing room banter.Netravalkar's journey to the international stage has been a unique one. After representing India in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, he shifted his focus to pursue higher education in the US, where he now works as a software engineer at Oracle. However, his passion for cricket remained strong, and he found a new outlet in the USA national team, which comprises players from India, Pakistan, and the West Indies.Netravalkar's performances at the T20 World Cup have been nothing short of exceptional. He played a pivotal role in the thrilling Super Over victory against Pakistan and dismissed Virat Kohli for a golden duck, showcasing his skill and determination. Reflecting on his bowling strategy, Netravalkar credited the pitch conditions for assisting the bowlers, emphasizing the importance of hitting the top of the stumps and letting the pitch create the variation.Despite his success on the field, Netravalkar remains grounded and values his career at Oracle. He finds joy in balancing both aspects of his life, recognizing the importance of both his professional and sporting pursuits.Netravalkar's journey is a testament to the challenges and decisions that shape our paths. He made a practical call to pursue higher education when he wasn't making it big in India, but his love for cricket never waned. He is grateful for the opportunity to represent the USA and is determined to make the most of his second chance to pursue his passion.

Pakistan's hopes of advancing to the 'Super 8s' stage of the T20 World Cup received a boost after India's victory over USA on Wednesday. Pakistan's chances of progressing are now dependent on favorable results in the remaining matches of Group A.Currently, India leads the group with six points, followed by USA with four points and a net run rate (NRR) of +0.127. Pakistan sits in third place with two points and an NRR of +0.191, while Canada and Ireland have two and zero points, respectively.Pakistan's qualification hinges on the outcome of the following matches:* USA vs Ireland (June 14): If USA wins, they will qualify for the 'Super 8s' along with India.* Ireland vs USA (June 14): If Ireland wins, Pakistan's chances will improve as USA's NRR will worsen, making the Pakistan vs Ireland match a direct shootout for a spot in the 'Super 8s'.* India vs Canada (June 15): This match will become irrelevant if USA beats Ireland on June 14. However, if Ireland wins, Canada must upset India to tie with USA at four points.* Pakistan vs Ireland (June 16): This result will be crucial only if USA loses to Ireland on June 14. A Pakistan win will take them to second place on the points table, edging out USA on NRR.A washout in the USA vs Ireland match will give USA five points, securing their qualification. A washout in the Pakistan vs Ireland match will result in Pakistan finishing with three points, allowing USA to advance even if they lose their last match against Ireland.Pakistan's fate now rests on the performances of other teams in Group A. A win over Ireland on June 16 will be crucial, but they will need favorable results in the other matches to secure a spot in the 'Super 8s'.

USA Captain Aaron Jones Reflects on Narrow Loss to India in T20 World CupIn the wake of a 7-wicket defeat to India in the ICC T20 World Cup, USA stand-in captain Aaron Jones expressed his belief that a total of 130 would have posed a significant challenge for the "Men in Blue."Despite a valiant bowling effort that saw India struggle to chase down a modest target of 111, Jones acknowledged that his team fell short in the batting department. "10-15 runs short. If we got 130 then it would have been a tough total," he said.Jones praised his bowlers for their discipline and determination, particularly in the early stages of India's chase. However, he lamented the missed opportunities that prevented them from capitalizing on the early dismissals of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma."We were very disciplined and really proud of the bowling unit," Jones said. "Ali Khan came in and dismissed Rishabh Pant with a magnificent delivery, but we couldn't build on that."Looking ahead, Jones emphasized the need for restructuring and recalibration before their crucial match against Ireland on Friday. "We will have a few meetings and come back strong," he added.Jones also provided an update on captain Monank Patel, who missed the India clash due to a niggle. "Mostly he should be fit for the last game," he said.In their final group stage match, the USA will face Ireland with the aim of securing a berth in the Super 8.

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.

USA Cricket Sets Dismal Record in T20 World Cup Powerplay Against IndiaThe United States cricket team etched an unfortunate record in the annals of T20 World Cup history during their match against India in New York on Wednesday. The American side managed a paltry 18 runs for the loss of two wickets in the first six overs, marking the lowest powerplay score against India in the tournament's history.This dismal performance also stands as the USA's lowest powerplay total in T20 Internationals. The Indian bowling attack, led by left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh, proved too formidable for the American batters. Singh struck twice in his opening over, dismissing Shayan Jahangir and Andries Gous for ducks.India has a history of stifling opponents during the powerplay in T20 World Cups. In 2014, the West Indies team managed only 24 runs in their powerplay without losing any wickets. Similarly, South Africa was restricted to 24 runs for three wickets in their powerplay against India in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Ireland also struggled against India in the 2024 T20 World Cup, scoring just 26 runs for two wickets in their powerplay overs.These instances of low powerplay scores against India highlight the effectiveness of the Indian bowling unit in T20 World Cups. The bowlers have consistently applied early pressure, restricted scoring opportunities, and captured key wickets, leading to India's success on the global stage.The USA's dismal powerplay performance against India underscores the challenges faced by the American team in the tournament. Despite their spirited efforts, the USA batters were unable to penetrate the Indian bowling attack and establish a solid foundation for their innings.

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 is heating up, and Match 25 promises to be a thrilling encounter between the USA and India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Wednesday.Both teams have played two matches so far, with the USA sitting second on the points table and India leading the standings. A win for either side would solidify their position in the tournament.In their last match, the USA played a thrilling match against Pakistan, which ended in a tie. They triumphed in the Super Over, winning by five runs. Nosthush Kenjige was the standout player for the USA, amassing 91 fantasy points.India's last match was also against Pakistan, where they secured a narrow victory by six runs. Jasprit Bumrah was the top fantasy performer for India, earning 97 fantasy points with his exceptional bowling.Key Players to Watch:USA:* Aaron Jones: A reliable top-order batter who has scored 167 runs in his last five matches.* Harmeet Singh: A versatile left-handed batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler who adds depth to the USA lineup.* Jasdeep Singh: A right-arm medium pacer who has taken two wickets in his last five matches.India:* Virat Kohli: A prolific right-handed top-order batter who has been a consistent performer.* Hardik Pandya: An all-rounder who has scored 65 runs and taken six wickets in his last five matches.* Jasprit Bumrah: Known for his deadly accuracy and pace, Bumrah has taken nine wickets in his last five matches.The match between the USA and India promises to be a close and exciting encounter, with both teams eager to secure a win and improve their standings in the tournament. Fans can expect an exciting game filled with competitive cricket and standout performances.