Indian-born USA cricketer Saurabh Netravalkar has shared his thoughts on going unsold in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction with a base price of INR 30 lakhs. Despite being one of the promising players in the international circuit, Netravalkar’s name did not make it to the final roster for IPL 2025.
Saurabh Netravalkar speaks on IPL 2025 mega auction experience
Netravalkar expressed gratitude for being shortlisted in the final auction list and acknowledged that, while he had hopes, the player pool was highly competitive with many top players not making the cut. He looks forward to watching the season, which promises high-quality cricket, and plans to continue working hard to improve and return stronger next year.
“Firstly, grateful for getting shortlisted in the final auction list. Yes, the child in me had hopes for sure! But, it was a high-quality player pool with so many top players also failing to make the cut, so I completely understand. Really looking forward to watch the season which I’m sure will be filled with the highest quality of cricket, and personally I’ll keep working harder and trying to get better and come back stronger hopefully next year,” Netravalkar said in an exclusive interview with the Times of India.
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Historic Super Over performance against Pakistan
Netravalkar’s talent is undeniable, especially after his heroics in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. During the historic match against Pakistan, the USA team managed to win by just 5 runs in a thrilling Super Over, with Netravalkar himself bowling the decisive Super Over for his side. His performance was instrumental in the USA’s victory, and it was a display of his immense skill and composure under pressure, earning him recognition on the global stage.
A journey from India to USA with impressive international career stats
Netravalkar’s journey in cricket began in India, where he played for the Under-19 Indian team and earned the title of the highest wicket-taker for India in the 2010 ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, with 9 wickets. However, his cricketing journey took an international turn when he moved to the USA in 2015 to pursue higher education. He made his debut for the USA national team in March 2019 and has since established himself as one of the key players for the team.
Netravalkar has had a remarkable career so far in both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals (T20Is). In ODIs, he has played 56 matches, taking 88 wickets at an impressive average of 22.32. Meanwhile, in T20Is, he has featured in 36 matches, claiming 36 wickets. His leadership qualities have also been recognized, as he has captained the USA team in several matches, showcasing his tactical acumen and experience on the field.