Saurabh Netravalkar - jharkhandgyan

Saurabh Netravalkar is a left-arm fast-medium bowler for the USA cricket team, born in Mumbai, India, on October 16, 1991.
He played for India’s Under-19 team before moving to the US in 2015 for a master’s degree at Cornell University.
He works as a software engineer at Oracle, balancing cricket and technology, and developed a cricket analytics app, CricDecode.
Notable achievements include a 5-wicket haul in both ODIs and T20Is, and a pivotal role in the 2024 T20 World Cup win against Pakistan.
He plays for Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket and was selected for the Bangladesh Premier League 2025.

Early Life and Cricket Beginnings

Saurabh Netravalkar’s journey started in Mumbai, where he grew up immersed in cricket culture. Born to Goan parents, he showed early promise, taking 30 wickets in six matches during the 2008–09 Cooch Behar Trophy and representing India at the 2010 Under-19 World Cup as a top wicket-taker. Despite his talent, breaking into Mumbai’s senior team was tough due to competition from established players like Ajit Agarkar and Zaheer Khan.

Move to the USA and Dual Career

In 2015, Saurabh moved to the US for a master’s in computer science at Cornell University. While studying, he continued playing cricket, eventually debuting for the USA in 2018. Today, he works at Oracle as a principal member of technical staff, managing databases and holding a patent for a search innovation. He also developed CricDecode, a cricket analytics app, showcasing his ability to blend technology and sport.

International and Domestic Cricket

Saurabh has played 56 ODIs and 36 T20Is for the USA, becoming the first to take 5-wicket hauls in both formats. His standout moment was in the 2024 T20 World Cup, defending 18 runs in the Super Over against Pakistan, securing a historic win. Domestically, he’s a key player for Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket, taking 25 wickets in 13 matches in 2023, and was picked by Rangpur Riders for the 2025 Bangladesh Premier League.

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Personal Impact and Legacy

Saurabh’s story inspires those balancing multiple passions, proving cricket can thrive in the US. His dual career highlights resilience, and as of April 2025, he continues to excel, aiming for more international success.

Comprehensive Biography of Saurabh Netravalkar

Saurabh Naresh Netravalkar, born on October 16, 1991, in Mumbai, India, to Goan parents from Netravali, is a left-arm fast-medium bowler who has made significant contributions to cricket, particularly as a key player for the United States national team. Standing at 6 feet (183 cm), he bats right-handed and bowls with a style that combines pace and swing, making him a formidable presence on the field. His journey from the bustling cricket fields of Mumbai to the emerging cricketing landscape of America is a tale of perseverance, adaptability, and dual excellence in sports and technology.

Early Life and Educational Background

Growing up in Mumbai, Saurabh was immersed in a cricketing culture where the sport is a religion. He studied at Sardar Patel Institute of Technology, balancing academics with his passion for cricket. His early talent was evident when, in 2009 at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), he rattled the stumps of Yuvraj Singh, a moment that highlighted his potential. His junior cricket career included taking 30 wickets in six matches during the 2008–09 Cooch Behar Trophy, a feat that underscored his bowling prowess. This led to his selection for the India Under-19 team at the 2010 Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, where he was India’s highest wicket-taker, with 9 wickets at an average of 17.22, though he missed semester exams to participate.

Despite these achievements, breaking into Mumbai’s senior team was challenging due to the presence of established bowlers like Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan, Aavishkar Salvi, and Dhawal Kulkarni. This competition prompted Saurabh to seek new opportunities, leading him to pursue higher education in the United States. In 2015, he moved to Cornell University in New York for a master’s degree in computer science, a decision that would shape his future in both cricket and technology.

Cricketing Career: From India to USA

Saurabh’s early cricketing career in India included his first-class debut for Mumbai in the 2013–14 Ranji Trophy on December 22, 2013, and his List A debut on February 27, 2014, in the 2013–14 Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, with limited opportunities, he transitioned to playing for the USA after moving there. He began playing recreational cricket on weekends, and in 2018, he made his List A debut for the USA against the Leeward Islands, taking 2 wickets for 45 runs in 10 overs.

His international career with the USA took off with his T20I debut on March 15, 2019, against the UAE (cap 6), and his ODI debut on April 27, 2019, against Papua New Guinea (cap 20). As of April 2025, he has played 56 ODIs and 36 T20Is, with his last ODI on November 2, 2024, against Nepal, and last T20I on October 20, 2024, against Nepal. His bowling statistics across formats are impressive, as detailed in the table below:

Format	Matches	Innings	Balls Bowled	Runs Conceded	Wickets	Best Bowling	Average	Economy Rate	Strike Rate	5 Wickets in Innings
ODIs	56	56	2,889	1,964	88	5/32	22.32	4.05	32.8	2
T20Is	36	36	695	777	36	5/12	21.58	6.70	19.3	1
First-Class	1	2	192	77	3	2/42	25.66	2.40	64.0	0
List A	87	87	4,535	3,200	128	5/32	24.99	4.21	34.7	2

Saurabh became the first USA bowler to take a 5-wicket haul in an ODI (5/32 vs UAE, December 2019) and in a T20I (5/12 vs Singapore, 2022), milestones that highlight his impact. He also captained the USA in the 2018–19 Regional Super50 and the 2018 ICC World Cricket League Division Three, showcasing his leadership skills.

His most iconic moment came during the 2024 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA. On June 6, 2024, he defended 18 runs in the Super Over against Pakistan, dismissing key batsmen and securing a historic victory for the USA, a match that went viral and elevated his profile. He also took wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli against India, further cementing his reputation.

Domestic and Franchise Cricket

Domestically, Saurabh plays for the Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket (MLC), where he was the third-highest wicket-taker in the 2023 season, with a standout spell of 6/9 against the San Francisco Unicorns. His performance in MLC, taking 25 wickets in 13 matches, led to his selection by the Rangpur Riders for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025, marking his entry into one of South Asia’s premier T20 leagues.

Professional Life: A Tech Prodigy

Parallel to his cricketing career, Saurabh has built a robust career in technology. He works for Oracle on an H-1B visa, currently as a principal member of technical staff (PMTS), managing databases for companies and holding a patent for a search innovation. His role at Oracle is demanding, yet he balances it with cricket, taking office leave until June 17, 2024, after his 2024 T20 World Cup performance to focus on the sport. Saurabh’s technical acumen extends to cricket, as he developed CricDecode, a player-analysis app that has been praised for its innovative approach to cricket analytics.

Personal Life and Legacy

Saurabh’s life is a blend of dedication and balance, reflecting his Goan heritage and the support of his family. His journey from Mumbai to the US, excelling in both cricket and technology, inspires many, especially those from immigrant backgrounds. He is a role model for those juggling multiple passions, proving that with hard work, one can achieve greatness in diverse fields.

As of April 13, 2025, Saurabh continues to make strides, with aspirations for more international success, including representing the USA in future World Cups. His story is a beacon for cricket’s growth in America, highlighting the sport’s potential in a nation where it is still finding its footing.