Saurabh Netravalkar, now representing the United States in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, was once a part of the Mumbai cricket team. But, somehow struggling between studies and his love for cricket, he finally made his space in the World Cup.

Back in Mumbai, the Netravalkar family is now well-known, fielding numerous phone calls and social media messages, and engaging with local and national media. This newfound attention stems from Saurabh’s ‘practical’ decision to move to the US in 2015, seeking higher cricketing opportunities while working as a software engineer. “Cricket was over for me. I had no hope or expectation left to play again,” he recalls.

Almost a decade later, Saurabh faced India in a T20 World Cup match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, an “emotional moment” for the cricketer who once played for India’s Under-19 team. “Many of my former teammates are now playing for India,” he told the BBC.

Netravalkar, a tall, left-arm fast bowler, was the leading wicket-taker for India’s Under-19 team. He balanced his cricketing ambitions with his engineering studies, graduating in 2013. Post-graduation, he dedicated two years to cricket, aiming for a spot in the national and Mumbai cricket teams. Despite joining the Mumbai squad, he struggled to secure a place or break into the IPL, prompting his move to the US.

Initially, ICC rules required Netravalkar to reside in the US for seven years and attain permanent residency. However, rule changes in 2018 enabled his selection for the US team. By 2019, the ICC granted T20 international status to all associate members, including the US.

Both India and the USA are unbeaten in the T20 World Cup 2024, with India defeating Ireland and Pakistan, and the co-hosts USA winning against Canada and Pakistan. The match was crucial for both teams as they vied for a spot in the Super 8s, while Pakistan hoped for an Indian victory to bolster its own qualification chances. For the record, Netravalkar dismissed Virat Kohli for a golden duck in this match.

India finally won the match by seven wickets, chasing a total of 110 set by the US team, with 10 balls to spare.