Saurabh Netravalkar to return for Namibia tour after parental leave
Saurabh Netravalkar, a key player in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, is set to make his comeback in international cricket during the USA's tour of Namibia. The 33-year-old fast bowler took a break from the sport for parenting duties, missing the USA's tour of the Netherlands in August. However, he will only be participating in the One Day International (ODI) leg of this upcoming tour. Here are further details.
Netravalkar's T20 World Cup heroics and white-ball stats
During the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, the former India U-19 pacer picked up six wickets at 20.83. His economy rate was an impressive 6.63. Netravalkar has claimed 73 scalps from 48 ODI matches at an average of 22.27. He owns two five-wicket hauls. In T20Is, he has picked up 33 wickets in 33 matches at an average of 21.03. He owns one fifer. As per ESPNcricinfo, overall, he has 117 List A and 48 T20 wickets.
Netravalkar's absence paves way for Desai's T20I debut
Netravalkar has been excused from the Twenty20 International (T20I) matches for personal reasons. His absence from the T20Is has opened up an opportunity for 21-year-old left-arm seamer Ayan Desai, who will be making his debut in the T20I side. Despite being a newcomer, Desai has already made a mark by dismissing top batters like Devon Conway and Marcus Stoinis during his single game against the Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket.
USA cricket team faces challenges ahead of Namibia tour
USA vice-captain Aaron Jones will miss the Namibia tour, opting to prioritize his Caribbean Premier League (CPL) stint with St Lucia Kings. Andries Gous, also a CPL player for Trinbago Knight Riders, faced a similar dilemma but prioritized the national team over the league. Gous is set to make his ODI debut in Namibia after earning his first squad selection.
Former captain Taylor ruled out due to injury
The USA cricket team faces another setback as former captain Steven Taylor is ruled out of the tour due to injury. This comes at a particularly tough time for Taylor, as he has been struggling with his form since the start of the Bangladesh series. He has not managed to score a half-century in his last 13 international innings, adding pressure on top-order batsmen like Sai Teja Mukkamalla and Smit Patel.
Patel and Kumar secure T20I berths after impressive performances
Smit Patel earned a place in the T20I team after his standout performance in the ODIs in the Netherlands, scoring two half-centuries in four matches. Similarly, Milind Kumar has been reinstated into the T20I squad after showcasing an all-round performance during the same tour. Sushant Modani makes a surprising return to the ODI team after a year away, despite averaging only 21 runs per game and going undrafted in both MLC seasons.
USA's squads for the upcoming series
USA's ODI squad: Monank Patel (captain), Andries Gous, Harmeet Singh, Jasdeep Singh, Juanoy Drysdale, Milind Kumar, Nosthusha Kenjige, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Smit Patel, Sushant Modani, Saurabh Netravalkar, Shayan Jahangir, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Utkarsh Srivastava, Yasir Mohammad. USA's T20I squad: Monank Patel (captain), Andries Gous, Abhishek Paradkar, Ayan Desai, Harmeet Singh, Juanoy Drysdale, Milind Kumar, Nitish Kumar, Nosthusha Kenjige, Jasdeep Singh, Smit Patel, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Shayan Jahangir, Utkarsh Srivastava, Yasir Mohammad.
