USA Cricketer Saurabh Netravalkar Shines in T20 World Cup, Impresses Andy Flower

Former Zimbabwe cricketer and current Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach Andy Flower praised United States pacer Saurabh Netravalkar for his exceptional performance in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup.

The USA, co-hosting the tournament with West Indies, has been a heartwarming success story. In their World Cup debut, they reached the Super Eight stage, defeating former champions Pakistan and giving tough competition to India and South Africa.

Netravalkar has been crucial to USA’s success, taking six wickets at an average of 12.16 and an economy rate of 5.21. His notable wickets include India’s Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Pakistan’s Mohammed Rizwan, and South African captain Aiden Markram.

Andy Flower, speaking to ESPNCricinfo, said, “Well, his stocks have flown through the roof, I think. I must say I enjoyed working with him in the ILT20. Smart guy and very skilful and a great man around the team. Very independent and self-managed. So, without a doubt, people will be looking at this and thinking, he has a left-arm swing bowler that can also bowl at the death for us.”

Flower also hinted at Netravalkar’s potential to play for RCB in the Indian Premier League (IPL), saying, “USA player, overseas player, mate, you never know with these skills. Get him up against some of those Indian right-handers in the IPL.”

USA’s next Super Eights game will be against West Indies on June 22.