Who is Saurabh Netravalkar? The Full-Time USA Engineer Who Beat Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2024
Saurabh Netravalkar is a left-arm medium-fast bowler who represented the India under-19 team
Saurabh Netravalkar’s name is etched in cricket history after his heroics for the USA in the T20 World Cup 2024. His exceptional bowling in the Super Over, where he defended 18 runs against Pakistan secured a famous victory, marking a major upset in the tournament.
Early Life and Cricket Career
Born in Mumbai (India) in 1991, Saurabh Netravalkar’s cricketing journey began with representing India at the U19 World Cup in 2010. However, the fierce competition in Indian cricket didn’t allow the left-arm pacer to break into the senior team.
Part Time Cricketer, Full Time Software Engineer
In 2015, Netravalkar moved to the United States. He pursued his cricketing dreams while building a successful career as a software engineer at Oracle. Balancing his passion for cricket with the demands of his profession was no easy feat, but Netravalkar persevered. Netravalkar made his debut for the USA team in 2019.
A Sweet Reversal of Fate
Interestingly, in the 2010 U19 World Cup, Saurabh Netravalkar’s India team was defeated by a Pakistan team led by a young Babar Azam. Fourteen years later, the roles were reversed. Netravalkar, now a key player for the USA, orchestrated a stunning win over Pakistan’s Babar Azam.
