It was the year 2015 when Saurabh Netravalkar decided to leave his cricket kit in India and fly to the United States of America to pursue a master’s degree in computer science engineering. He made a well-thought-out decision after giving Cricket a good two years. He had represented India in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, and after completing his bachelor’s, he began the hustle of domestic Cricket. He even made his first-class debut for Mumbai against Karnataka in 2013, but he quickly sensed that his cricket career needed more opportunities. Lastly, he changed his mind and boarded the flight to the US.
What is meant to be will be
You can take a cricketer of the game but not the game out of a cricketer. Netravalkar kicked off his next innings in New York at Cornell University, and so did the player inside him. He smelled the essence of Cricket on American soil and no wonder it attracted him. Leaving India and coming to the US, playing Cricket for fun with University students and for clubs on weekends and then turning up for the country in the T20 World Cup 2024… it was all meant to be for the Mumbai boy.
In an exclusive conversation with CricketNext, Netravalkar narrated the story of his reunion with Cricket in the States.
“I never expected to play cricket, let alone play professionally," Netravalkar told CricketNext.
“When I came to college, I saw a few students playing for fun. So, I joined them in college. Then I realized that they had formed a college Cricket Club and used to play in college tournaments. So, I just started playing for fun.
“Like alongside my studies there, I got a job in San Francisco and discovered club cricket on weekends, mainly social Cricket. I started playing for fun every weekend at work. I didn’t train or practice or anything. I had a few teammates who were part of the national team then, and that’s when I discovered the existence of the USA national team.
“There are different pockets in the US where there is good club cricket, and there are very few places where there are proper cricket pitches. Los Angeles is one, and it’s there in Florida. I used to visit these places on the weekends and play limited-over matches there. I slowly started making a name by performing in these places, and when I completed three years in the US, the ICC relaxed the eligibility criteria – from 7 years of playing for the country to 3.
“And that’s when I also got a chance to train with the national team. They had seen me, so they onboarded me, and that’s how the journey started with the US national team," Netravalkar explained.
Living a dual life – one of a coder, another of a cricketer
So, the left-arm pacer who contributed to Pakistan’s epic downfall and stole the show with the wickets of Indian giants Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is a full-time Software engineer at a renowned American firm. Unlike India, being an international cricketer in America isn’t everything, at least for now, which makes it tricky for an individual to maintain the balance. But it isn’t that painstaking for someone like Netravalkar, who grew up in the Mumbai hustle.
The 32-year-old briefly explained how he manages his job and plays Cricket for the country.
“USA was in Division Three when I started. So, it didn’t have too many international commitments then. There is one major tournament every year, and the team is assembled a few weeks before the tournament. So, initially, my main focus was still my full-time job and club," Netravalkar said.
“Even the local Cricket was usually on the weekends or, at max, it would start on Friday. So, either Thursday night or Friday, I’d fly or drive to wherever the matches were played and get back on Monday.
“We still don’t have good cricket pitches where I live. So, we train indoors. We either do it in the afternoon during office time so that I may take an extended lunch break and practice for two hours, or I practice after work at night. That’s how regular training works.
“I go to my office gym during work hours or in the morning or evening. I manage that way. I have parks near my house that I run to do my fitness sessions. That’s how we manage basically with work," he added.
‘We’ve Set the Ball Rolling’
For years, the gentlemen’s game has struggled for existence in the States. However, the picture painted by the USA in the T20 World Cup 2024 has forced the national media and the citizens of the country to examine it. Netravalkar believes that the team has created enough buzz to draw big teams for bilaterals.
“It’s made a big difference. You can see local media have caught on to it. Many local people have shown up for the games and are now very interested in understanding what the game is about.
“Hopefully better teams will be ready to play us in bilateral series so that we get more exposure and we can try out playing in different conditions. And hopefully, if we do well there, it will create a domino effect that more youngsters will pick up the sport," Netravalkar said.
“I think we’ve set the ball rolling, but we still need to keep doing well consistently and at the same time, like investment in the infrastructure, building grounds, more pitches, all that also needs to happen. So, if everything is right, then yes, people are now inquisitive, and they will definitely take up the sport."
Rising from Division grade to competing in a major ICC event has been quite a journey for everyone associated with the USA cricket team. But it’s just the beginning of a new chapter in the States’ cricketing history.
“Everybody should be proud of their efforts and acknowledge that and be grateful to whoever supported us, our families, our work, like everybody back home, our fans, whoever made this possible for us. And the volunteers who help us manage these local tournaments and everything.
“A big thanks to everybody, and it’s everybody’s win. It’s just a start now, and we need to keep doing better," Netravalkar said.
Just hard work, no expectations
Netravalkar created a wave with his bowling in the T20 World Cup, with people back in India regretting letting go of such a talent to another country. No wonder if he bags an IPL contract in the upcoming mega auctions. But the Mumbai lad isn’t thinking that far. Instead, he wants to keep working hard and let things take shape themselves.
“I don’t want to expect anything, but yeah, it is what it is. We’ll see how it goes. I just want to give my best and not think about any fruits of my actions. They will happen. If I deserve, I will get, if not, no matter where. I’ll keep working hard; I’ll keep training and enjoying the game," he concluded.
Stay updated with the latest from T20 World Cup 2024. Explore T20 World Cup Match Today. Check Updated list of Highest-run getters and Highest Wicket-Takers In T20 World Cup 2024. Check T20 World Cup 2024 Points Table and players with the Most Sixes, Most Fours , Most Fifties And Most HundredsIn T20 World Cup 2024.
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