USA's Netravalkar, who also dismissed 'old mate' Rohit, says he is still trying to process the attention and adulation
NEW YORK: From being a journeyman cricketer in Mumbai to becoming a coder for Oracle to now getting Virat Kohli out for a first-ball duck in a T20 World Cup, it has been a long and winding road for Saurabh Netravalkar.
The left-arm pace bowler was the talking point of the World Cup after his match-winning Super Over against Pakistan. Now, just to prove he is no flash in the pan, Netravalkar has followed up that performance with the wickets of Kohli and "old mate" Rohit Sharma.
T20 WORLD CUP:
It's a surreal turn of events for the 32-year-old who once nearly gave up on the game. "It is difficult to explain that journey in a couple of sentences. It's been really very long. Back then, I had to take a practical call when I saw that my career as a cricketer in India wasn't really taking off because of the talent around. I got a chance to study in a reputed university here and it was a decision to pursue my other love, coding," Netravalkar said.
Indian journalists, incidentally, chose to skip the media interaction with Man of the Match Arshdeep Singh just to have a conversation with this mild-natured boy who has seen difficult days in his life.
Netravalkar is multi-talented. He plays the ukulele as well quite well, which he says he does for "fun". "I see YouTube videos and try to get the tune right, it's just a hobby," the boy from Mumbai, who now works in Silicon Valley, said.
"I am just happy that I can pursue both my passions. It is all happening very fast and I am in the process of digesting it. These last two games were really high-profile," he added, as references to his dismissal of Rohit and Kohli. "It was an emotional moment to get Virat's wicket. I was looking to hit off-stump and it worked out well," he said.
While Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav know him well and congratulated him on his performance, Virat, too, acknowledged his effort after the game got over.
"I know Surya from my U-15, U-17 days, we were talking about our dressing-room banter. I didn't know Virat personally but he did congratulate me," Netravalkar said, exuding humility.
India's bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, a Mumbai man himself, said the other day that Netravalkar is an "inspiration". "If there is a seed of hope, keep watering it. The plant will happen, it may take time, but it's going to happen," Netravalkar said, getting slightly emotional with all the adulation.
For USA, there is serious business up ahead with Ireland up next. The game is in Fort Lauderdale in Miami and if it gets washed out, the co-hosts will go through.
"We are not thinking about the rain. Ireland are a good side and we have to beat them. If our performances help the sport grow here and become part of the school and college curriculum, we will know we are on the right track."
1/10:T20 World Cup: India reach Super Eights with 7-wicket win over US
<p>Read more on TOI Sports</p>
2/10:MASSIVE WIN
<p>Suryakumar Yadav hit an unbeaten half-century and left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh claimed a career-best 4-9 as India defeated the United States by seven wickets to reach the T20 World Cup second round on Wednesday.<br /></p>AFP
3/10:SKY-DUBE SHOW
<p>Chasing 111 to win the Group A clash, India were rattled at 15-2 and then 44-3 before Yadav (50) and Shivam Dube (31) put on an undefeated fourth-wicket stand of 67 <br /></p>ANI
4/10:SOLID STAND
<p><br />The duo secured a third win in three games for India with 10 balls to spare.<br /></p>AP
5/10:USA STILL ALIVE
<p>Despite the defeat, the United States are still well-placed to join India in the Super Eights as they have four points while Pakistan and Canada are on two.<br /></p>AFP
6/10:MAGNIFICENT BOWLING
<p>India were stunned by Mumbai-born fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar who had superstar batsman Virat Kohli caught behind for nought off the first ball he faced.<br /></p>AFP
7/10:BIG WICKET!
<p>Rohit was then caught by Harmeet Singh at mid-off, again off the bowling of the 32-year-old Netravalkar in the third over.<br /></p>AFP
8/10:PANT'S CAMEO
<p>Rishabh Pant's 18-run cameo was ended when his stumps were uprooted by Ali Khan in the eighth over.<br /></p>AP
9/10:SKY ON TOP!
<p>However, Yadav went to his 18th international T20 half-century from 49 balls with two fours and a pair of sixes.<br /></p>IANS
