Saurabh Netravalkar: Early Days and Hard Work
Saurabh Netravalkar, originally from Goregaon, has achieved remarkable success in his cricketing career. His recent performance in the ICC T20 World Cup, where he bowled the Super Over to win the match for the USA against Pakistan, highlights his dedication and skill. Friends and former teammates from Mumbai unanimously agree: “Saurabh is a hardworking cricketer and excelled academically.”
Memories of U-19 World Cup
Left-arm spinner Gaurav Jathar, who played U-19 cricket with Netravalkar for Mumbai and India, vividly recalls their U-19 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Pakistan in January 2010. Jathar, who stays in constant touch with Netravalkar, said, “Beating Pakistan on the biggest stage isn’t easy. I messaged Saurabh and Harry [Harmeet Singh] after the match. When we played in the U-19 World Cup and lost to Pakistan in the quarter-finals, I told Saurabh, ‘It was long due. Good to see you and Harry give it back to them.’ Saurabh replied, ‘We were thinking about the U-19 days.’”
Academic Excellence
Jathar, 33, emphasized Saurabh Netravalkar’s dedication to both cricket and academics. “Saurabh is one of the most scholarly people I’ve known. I’ve never heard of the USA playing cricket until he went there and started promoting the game. Managing his cricket after working hours is an achievement, especially on the big stage against Pakistan.”
Recalling Netravalkar’s academic prowess, Jathar added, “He had his CET in a week. We were busy with State and national camps and had no chance to open the books. I told him to just appear for the exams. To everyone’s shock, he secured 191/200.”
Cricketing Skills and Preparation
Aditya Tare, a former Mumbai captain who kept wickets in the lone Ranji Trophy match Netravalkar played against Karnataka in 2013-14, said, “Saurabh’s bowling was accurate. He was very particular about his preparation. He knew his limitations and because he was smart, he managed to succeed. Saurabh Netravalkar uses his angles going around the wicket brilliantly as he doesn’t get the ball in.”
Destiny and Hard Work
Onkar Gurav, another of Netravalkar’s teammates in Mumbai and currently the fielding coach of the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team, attributed the bowler’s success to “destiny and hard work.” Gurav, 35, stated, “Good to see the Mumbai attitude in the USA. When I played with him, he was very studious, disciplined, and bowled long spells. He was deceptive in his line and length, and knew how to make it difficult for batsmen. On the ground, he gave more than 100 percent and off it, he was immersed in his books. I’m very happy to see both the guys from Mumbai doing well for USA. It is a proud moment for a Mumbaikar.” http://ndtvsports.com
Commitment and Perseverance
Former Mumbai captain and opener Vinayak Mane, who captained Saurabh Netravalkar at Bharat Petroleum, shared his experience. “Along with Suryakumar Yadav and Jathar, Saurabh was taken on scholarship but missed out on employment due to medical reasons. I was very happy to have his commitment to the game when he played for BPCL. He was hard-working, disciplined, and committed. He had his tough times but never gave up. I am very happy for him. Someone we recruited as a youngster is now winning a match against Pakistan.”
Conclusion
Saurabh Netravalkar’s journey from Goregaon to Dallas is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and perseverance. His achievements on the cricket field, especially against Pakistan, reflect his unwavering commitment to the sport. Netravalkar’s story serves as an inspiration to young cricketers and highlights the importance of balancing academics and sports. As he continues to shine on the international stage, his success brings pride to Mumbai and serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring cricketers worldwide. http://viralenews.com
