In a sensational turn of events, the USA cricket team pulled off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, defeating Pakistan in a thrilling Group A match on Thursday night. The match culminated in a nail-biting Super Over, where Saurabh Netravalkar, a Mumbai-born player representing the USA, showcased a performance for the ages.

Tasked with defending 18 runs against Pakistan’s formidable lineup led by Babar Azam, Netravalkar’s cool composure and exceptional bowling restricted the opposition to just 13 runs, securing a famous victory for the USA. This triumph sparked celebrations across America and among the Indian diaspora worldwide, who were thrilled to see an Indian-origin player shine on such a grand stage.

Social media was abuzz with praise for Netravalkar, a software engineer at Oracle currently on leave to pursue his cricketing dreams. Fans lauded his dual achievements, encapsulating the spirit of an Indian middle-class dream. One fan remarked, “Bro is living the Indian middle-class boy’s dream — software engineer, lives in USA, plays international cricket.” Another added, “Saurabh Netravalkar is the personification of the dreams of men like me growing up in India. Computer Science in a top university in the US….Defeating Pakistan in a World Cup game…Playing an instrument and having a nice singing voice. Some people do roll six all their lives.” The accolades continued to pour in as the cricketing world celebrated this remarkable achievement.

Netravalkar’s journey to this momentous occasion is nothing short of inspiring. Once a part of the India Under-19 World Cup squad in 2010, he played alongside future stars like KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, and Sandeep Sharma. Born in 1991, his talent for swinging the ball both ways earned him a spot in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad at just 17. He was the highest wicket-taker for India in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, claiming nine wickets in six matches.

At 23, Netravalkar moved to the USA, balancing his burgeoning tech career with his passion for cricket. His dual life as a tech professional and cricketer became a hot topic, especially after a colleague revealed they had no idea their co-worker was a former national team captain. When the USA’s squad for the T20 World Cup was announced, Netravalkar’s story captivated many, illustrating the fusion of professional and sporting aspirations.