Cricket is often called as an unpredictable game. The nature of game is so ambiguous that often one sees an amateur team defeating the giants leading to upsets. And these upsets do more good than harm for the game, as it gives the associate nations and its players a chance to be noticed by the cricketing world. The same happened two days back, when USA defeated test playing nation of Pakistan. The match was crucial for USA to prove their worth. But more importantly, it was important for the players who've worked hard to make a mark. And a lot of players like Aaron James, Monank Patel are now household names. But amidst all these, one name which stands tall and has won most of the hearts is Saurabh Netravalkar.

The Indian born USA player had a lion's share in their historic win against Pakistan. His performance in the match as well in the clutch situation of super over proved to be extremely vital for his team's first victory against test playing nation in their first T20 World cup. Putting up a stellar show, he firstly dismissed the dangerous Muhammad Rizwan and then grabbed Iftikhar Ahmed's wicket when he looked dangerous. His economic spell of just 18 runs in 4 overs was the turning point for USA. Which is why he was given the task to bowl super over. And he nailed it to perfection. On one side, an experienced Amir with over 100 international matches lost his cool due to the pressure, but a full time software engineer and part time cricketer Netravalkar held his nerve, and won the match for his team.

Netravalkar ensured that he isn't crumbling under the pressure, and stood strong against the Pakistani hard hitters, bringing glory to the nation which he currently plays for. His performance was lauded by all the cricket fans across the globe, who saw the potential and abilities of the left arm seamer. And when the fans searched his name on internet to know about him, they found someone with the same name working at Oracle first, and then a profile of cricket. Everyone was left in surprise to know that the nemesis of Pakistan was a software engineer who works at Oracle, and is a part time cricketer. Already in admiration of the USA hero, the world wanted to know more about him. And all of them were pleased to hear his story. Because his journey from a cricketer, to an IT professional to be back as a cricketer is truly unique and inspiring in its own way.

His story begins in Mumbai, the city of dreams. Born and brought up in the cradle of Indian cricket, there was hardly any doubt that he will fall in love with the game. Coming from a sports living family, his parents always wanted him to succeed in sports. And living up to their word, he made an instant impact. His performance peaked gradually, and he was selected for Indian U-19 team of 2010 World Cup, where he played alongside KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal and Jaydev Unadkat. In the quarter-final against Pakistan back then, he was our best bowler with 16 runs off 5 overs and 1 wicket to his name. However India lost the match. Everyone gradually moved on, and eventually life happened. Going ahead with a lot of twists and turns, just like everyone, he had to choose between studies and cricket. And gladly, he chose both.

Always fond of studies, Netravalkar tried his luck for cricket in India. With the dream of playing for India, he wanted to climb up the ladder. And he asked his parents a time of 2 years for his cricket, with the condition that if it doesn't workout well, he will go for further studies. And rightly so, after making his Ranji debut in 2013, he waited till 2015, but was not a regular member of the squad. Furthermore he didn't get a chance to feature in IPL. All of this led him to quit cricket and pursue his education. A computer engineer from Sardar Patel University, he got an offer letter from Cornell University. He accepted his fate and the offer from this prestigious university, and decided to leave cricket behind and go abroad for education. Thinking that his cricketing career is over, he even left his cricket kit back home thinking that it's hardly of any use. Little did he know back then on what is waiting for him.

While studying at the Cornell University, he was a sincere student who studied on the weekdays, and played the game as a recreational activity only on weekends. Fully focused on his career as a computer engineer, he applied for jobs and eventually his skill sets landed him a job at Oracle. He joined Oracle in 2016, and is still serving the organization as a Principal member of technical staff. He also has developed an application. In true sense he was an ideal software engineer. But how can someone stop him from pursuing his first love, cricket. He hustled 5 days of a week for Oracle, and put in equal effort on the weekends, transforming his cricket from a recreational activity to a more professional approach. Already having the required skill sets developed in Mumbai circuit, he put it to use and honed his skills further only on weekends, while still working as a full time professional.

Being a full time working professional, he ensured his complete dedication for his work , and simultaneously put equal efforts in cricket. One can only imagine on how he managed so much, along with keeping himself fit for matches. And all his efforts paid off as after completing his 3 years on US soil, he was selected to play for their national team in 2018. Later in 2018 itself, he was appointed as the captain of the team, and the team under his leadership regained the ODI status in 2019 which was lost earlier. His dream of playing ODI's turned true in 2019 when USA battled against UAE. And the journey from Division 5 cricket to Division 2 cricket saw him get many accolades to his name and for his team.

It was the same time when his team was climbing up the ladder, when US took active interest in flourishment of cricket. And hence the leagues like Major League Cricket started to shape up. Netravalkar, who missed his chance in IPL, was this time a clear favourite for all the franchises. And Washington Freedom picked him up after bidding from a few more teams. And he ensured that he is proving to be worth the bid. Although his team didn't win the title, he ensured that he is giving his best for the team. On 23rd July, 2023, his team was set to face San Francisco Unicorns which had a star studded lineup consisting of Matthew Wade, Marcus Stoinis, Shadab Khan and a few others. And Netravalkar pierced into their lineup scalping a whopping 6 wickets including these big three, giving away just 9 runs.

With these kind of performances, it was pretty evident about the value he holds for any team he plays for. And with the World Cup happening in USA, the nation got a chance to feature in it being the host. And gladly so for many like Saurabh, they got a chance to prove themselves at the world stage. It was hardly a doubt that he will be a part of the team, and himself and his team were set to go. Led by Monank Patel, USA were eyeing to win the matches and not just to participate, which they proved in their match against Canada. And when everyone thought that their match against Pakistan would be a mere formality and a one-sided encounter, Netravalkar had different plans. He put all what he learnt to use against the batting line-up consisting of Babar, Rizwan, Zaman, Iftikhar and Shadab. And he owned the match with his heroics. It took him 14 years to avenge his 2010 defeat against them when he played for India, but it was worth the wait.

There comes a time in life of every player, where all the hard yards he's done yields the desired results. And the match against Pakistan was the moment for him. One can imagine the happiness he felt to defeat a team like Pakistan. Who knew that the U-19 World cup star who played for India in 2010 would ever get a chance to play against Pakistan some day. Even he didn't think about it when he left the nation in order to pursue his education. But he got it, not for India, but for USA and he made the most of it by defeating Men in Green to avenge the 2010 defeat and firmly establish his name in the international circuit. It was because of his pure passion for the game and his ability to work hard for it, which forced the fate to turn around in his favour. And today, in the midst of the tournament as his success story floats around on the web, he continues to strive for better performance going ahead.

Saurabh Netravalkar's story is one of the most unique and inspiring stories ever heard in cricket. It reflects in the funny fact that for the very first time a cricketer was searched more on LinkedIn rather than being searched on cricket websites. It's a testament of the fact of what he has achieved in his professional career as a cricketer as well as a software engineer. And it inspires people from multiple domains in more than one way. It firstly inspires every person to not give up on their educational journey inspite of focusing on sports. It also inspires every individual who follows his career to never give up on the sport or any activity which they truly love and excel at. It inspires all the immigrants to pave a newer way to achieve their goals without compromising on literally anything. And lastly, it serves as an inspiration for the pure love, dedication, determination and work ethic. Netravalkar's story also teaches to remain grounded and connected to the roots inspite of being on the top of the world. On his phenomenal achievement, we congratulate Saurabh Netravalkar for his heroics, and wish to see him perform even better while continuing to inspire others.