Saurabh Netravalkar, the Mumbai-born cricketer-turned-software engineer, is gearing up for a significant and emotional encounter as the USA faces India in the T20 World Cup. Saurabh Netravalkar, who recently became an overnight sensation for his heroics against Pakistan, has a unique story of balancing his passion for coding and cricket.
Saurabh Netravalkar, employed by tech giant Oracle, gained widespread attention after defending 19 runs in a Super Over against Pakistan, leading the USA to a historic victory. This feat highlighted his diverse talents, which include representing India at the Under-19 level alongside notable players like KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal.
Reflecting on the upcoming match against India, Saurabh Netravalkar expressed his emotions and admiration for his former Mumbai teammate, Suryakumar Yadav. “Playing against India would be truly emotional,” he told PTI. “I know all of them, and Surya (Yadav) and I have played together for Mumbai U15s, U-17, U-19s. It is so good to see what he has achieved, and it will be nice to catch up with them.”
Saurabh Netravalkar, who played the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai in 2013, has transitioned to the USA after limited opportunities in Indian cricket. His love for both bowling and coding has been a constant in his life. “I have never felt the pressure. When you love something, it is never a job for you,” he said. “So when I am out there on the field, I love bowling and trying to out-think a batter. When I am coding, I love doing that, and hence it never feels like work.”
Balancing cricket & coding
Despite his cricketing commitments, Saurabh Netravalkar maintains his role at Oracle, where he works as a software engineer. He praised his supportive bosses for allowing him to work remotely during tours. “On match days, I am excused from work, but there are scheduled project meetings which warrant my presence, and I work my practice schedule accordingly,” he explained.
Saurabh Netravalkar’s journey includes pursuing a master’s degree from Cornell University, which led to a lucrative job at Oracle. He made his debut for the USA team in 2019 and has also captained the side. However, he acknowledges that his primary source of income remains his day job at Oracle.
“I have often logged in for a meeting at the lunch break during local matches or club games,” Saurabh Netravalkar shared. “At Oracle, they all know by now I play cricket, and everyone is happy to support. I work in team Oracle Text, primarily coding in SQL and C.”
Upcoming matches
The 32-year-old cricketer is looking forward to the match against India, a team featuring several of his former teammates. As he balances his dual careers, Saurabh Netravalkar continues to inspire with his dedication and passion for both cricket and coding.
