USA Stars Netravalkar & Krishnamurthi Gear Up for Nostalgic India Clash in T20 WC

USA cricketers Saurabh Netravalkar and Sanjay Krishnamurthi have expressed their excitement ahead of their team's T20 World Cup 2026 opener against India. Netravalkar, who grew up in Mumbai, described playing at the Wankhede Stadium as a nostalgic, full-circle moment. Krishnamurthi believes the high-profile match is a special moment for American cricket and will inspire the next generation. The USA is placed in Group A alongside India, Pakistan, Netherlands, and Namibia for the tournament.

Key Points: USA Cricketers Excited for T20 World Cup Clash vs India

  • USA faces India in T20 WC 2026 opener
  • Netravalkar's nostalgic Wankhede return
  • Krishnamurthi sees inspiration for USA cricket
  • USA in Group A with India, Pakistan, Netherlands, Namibia
2 min read

USA's Saurabh Netravalkar, Sanjay Krishnamurthi excited for India clash in T20 WC 2026

USA's Saurabh Netravalkar and Sanjay Krishnamurthi share their excitement for the T20 World Cup 2026 opener against India at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.

"personally feels like a full circle moment for me because I learned my cricket here. - Saurabh Netravalkar"

Mumbai, February 7

USA pacer Saurabh Netravalkar and all-rounder Sanjay Krishnamurthi expressed excitement ahead of the team's ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign opener clash against India on Saturday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Ahead of the India vs USA match, Saurabh Netravalkar, who was born and brought up in Mumbai before moving to the USA, called playing at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium a nostalgic, full-circle moment, expressing excitement to perform in front of family and friends where he grew up learning cricket.

"Yeah, personally feels like a full circle moment for me because I learned my cricket here. I grew up in Mumbai and Getting an opportunity to play at Wankhede, which has been my dream since childhood as well so nostalgic emotional - good to see, I'm looking forward for my family friends to be there and I'll give my best," Netravalkar said on the eve of the India vs USA match.

USA all-rounder, on the other hand, Sanjay Krishnamurthi said playing at an iconic stadium against one of the world's best teams is a special moment for the USA and could inspire the next generation of American cricketers.

"Yeah, I think for all Americans this is a special moment for our country. To be able to come here and play cricket in one of the most iconic stadiums against one of the best teams in the world right now and I think it's going to inspire a future generation of cricketers to come and rise through the ranks in American cricket," Krishnamurthi said.

USA are slotted in Group A alongside India, Netherlands, Namibia and Pakistan.

After the India, USA will face Pakistan in their second group-stage clash February 10. USA are then scheduled to face Netherlands on February 13. USA's last group-stage match is set to be against the Namibia on February 15.

USA Squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026:

Monank Patel (c), Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamala, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
This is exactly what global cricket needs. Seeing the USA team, with players of Indian origin, compete at this level is brilliant for the sport's growth. Good luck to both teams for an exciting match!
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Vikram M
Honestly, I find it a bit strange. They left India for better opportunities, which is fine, but now they come back to play *against* India? Feels a little off, yaar. Your heart should be with the country that gave you your foundation.
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Priya S
Sanjay is right! This match can inspire so many young NRI kids in the US to take up cricket seriously. It shows the world that talent is everywhere. May the best team win! 🤝
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Rohit P
Wankhede will be electric! I hope Saurabh gets a warm welcome from the Mumbai crowd. He's living his dream, and that's something to celebrate. After the respectful applause, let's hope Bumrah and Siraj knock over the USA top order quickly! 😄
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Kavya N
It's a win-win for Indian cricket either way. If India wins, great. If USA puts up a fight and players of Indian origin do well, it still showcases the strength of our cricket system. Very cool narrative for this World Cup.

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