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Saurabh Netravalkar, the star performer for the USA in their famous win against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2024, reportedly took a leave from work till June 17 to be a part of the tournament. The software engineer from Oracle had previously applied for leave until the group stage of the tournament, but he might have to extend it if the USA keep up their current form.
Notably, at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Saurabh Netravalkar bowled an exceptional four-over spell against Pakistan, picking up two wickets, while giving away just 18 runs. After the USA managed to tie the contest, the left-arm fast bowler delivered a memorable super over, defending 18 runs successfully, to secure back-to-back wins for the team in the competition.
As per the current schedule of the USA in the T20 World Cup 2024 in Group A, they are slated to compete against India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Wednesday, June 12. Following this, the USA cricket team will be travelling to Lauderhill, where they are scheduled to play in Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground against Ireland on Friday, June 14.
According to the report from ESPNcricinfo, Saurabh Netravalkar has taken official leave at his day job at Oracle, which is going to end on June 17, to play for the USA. Although the impressive progress of the national team in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 could send them to the Super 8 stage from Group A, which will make him extend his leave of absence from the job for another couple of weeks.
Moreover, Saurabh Netravalkar, who was born in Mumbai, picked up the most wickets for India in the U-19 Cricket World Cup in 2010, while playing alongside the likes of KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Harshal Patel, and Jaydev Unadkat. After the lack of opportunities at the senior level in Indian cricket, he moved to the USA, for whom he has made history in the T20 World Cup this year.
