Heroics in the T20 World Cup 2024
Saurabh Netravalkar, the USA’s left-arm pacer, made headlines with his remarkable performances in the T20 World Cup 2024. In a tournament filled with surprises, Netravalkar’s standout moments came against two cricketing powerhouses—India and Pakistan. His Super Over heroics against Pakistan led USA to a historic victory, while his scalps of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the game against India showcased his class on the big stage.
Disappointment at IPL 2025 Auction
Despite his stellar performances, Netravalkar went unsold at the IPL 2025 mega auction. With a base price of Rs 30 lakh, the 33-year-old hoped to earn a spot in the lucrative league but failed to attract bids. Speaking to Times of India after the auction, Netravalkar expressed a mix of gratitude and understanding.
“Firstly, grateful for getting shortlisted in the final auction list. Yes, the child in me had hopes for sure (of getting picked),” he shared. “But it was a high-quality player pool with so many top players also failing to make the cut, so I completely understand.”
A Journey Across Borders
Born in India, Netravalkar represented India at the 2010 U19 Cricket World Cup and played domestic cricket for Mumbai. However, his cricketing journey took a turn when he moved to the United States. Balancing his professional career at Oracle, Netravalkar has become a key player for USA, representing the nation in 56 ODIs and 36 T20Is.
In the T20 World Cup 2024, Netravalkar’s consistency shone through, with six wickets in six matches at an impressive economy rate of 6.63, helping USA reach the Super 8 stage in their maiden campaign.
Focus on the Future: IPL 2026 Hopes
Though disappointed by the auction outcome, Netravalkar is not letting it dampen his spirits. Instead, he is determined to improve and make a stronger case for IPL 2026.
“Personally, I’ll keep working harder and trying to get better and come back stronger hopefully next year,” he vowed.
USA Cricket’s Rising Star
Netravalkar’s journey from Indian domestic cricket to USA’s cricketing stage is an inspiration for aspiring cricketers worldwide. His contributions have not only elevated USA cricket but also highlighted the potential of associate nations in global tournaments.
As he continues to refine his skills, cricket fans can expect more stellar performances from Saurabh Netravalkar, who remains committed to chasing his IPL dream.
The Road Ahead
With the growing recognition of USA cricket and Netravalkar’s ability to perform under pressure, his IPL dream might still come true. For now, the left-arm pacer is focused on helping USA build on their T20 World Cup success and improving his game to catch the attention of IPL franchises in the future.
A testament to resilience, Netravalkar’s story is far from over, and the cricketing world will be watching his next steps with keen interest.(online casino real money)