• Loading stock data...
Monday, March 31, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

U.S. Cricket Stuns Goliath Behind Its Star, an Ivy League Software Engineer

  • Team USA upset Pakistan, one of cricket’s superpowers, in overtime.
  • One of its best players, Saurabh Netravalkar, has a day job at Oracle.
ICC

The U.S. is playing in its first International Cricket Council Men’s T20 World Cup, one of the sport’s top competitions displaying a shortened version of the game. And Team USA pulled off something similar to the “Miracle on Ice” on Thursday in Grand Prairie, Texas.

The Americans beat Pakistan, one of the sport’s top competitors, in the tournament’s version of overtime, called the Super Over. Leading the way was Saurabh Netravalkar, the lefty bowler (think: pitcher) who helped secure the victory for the U.S. His full-time job? The Cornell grad is a principal member of technical staff at Oracle, according to his LinkedIn profile.

It’s hard to put into words just how big of a deal this upset is. Pakistan will face India on Sunday in one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports. When the two squared off in October, the digital and TV audience was roughly 3.5 times larger than the Super Bowl. In Pakistan, where the team has reached the T20 Finals three times, including the last tournament in 2022, cricketers are national celebrities. In the U.S., we are just learning their names.

Oracle chimed in on social media, congratulating the team and saying it’s proud of its “very own engineering and cricket star.”

The U.S. team has all the makings of virality, especially when it comes to power hitter Aaron Jones, who routinely sends it out of the park.

“Hopefully tonight’s innings will probably open the eyes of those who don’t know me or USA cricket,” Jones said after the team’s first win over Canada. “We have great players here and that we have a lot of talent here and are willing to play at the highest level for sure.”

The No. 18 Americans round out their group play with a match against India, the No. 1–ranked team in the world, on June 12, followed by Ireland on June 14.

The tournament is taking place for the first time in the U.S. and West Indies throughout the month of June, with American venues in Florida, Texas, and New York.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Missing Madness: All No. 1 Seeds in Men’s Final Four, First Time..

The results show the impact of NIL and the transfer portal.
Columbia, SC - February 16, 2025 - Colonial Life Arena: Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco during a regular season game.

Inside Ryan Ruocco’s Rapid Rise to ESPN’s Top Voice of Women’s Hoops

The top voice became “quickly addicted” to calling the women’s game.

Duke Keeps ACC Alive in March Madness

Duke will represent the ACC in the Elite Eight in both tournaments.
TCU Horned Frogs guard Hailey Van Lith (10) celebrates as she heads to the locker room after winning the NCAA Playoff Regional semi-final game against Notre Dame at Legacy Arena in Birmingham Alabama, March 29, 2025.

Hailey Van Lith Is an Early Success Story of Unrestricted Transfer Portal

She becomes first player to reach the Elite Eight with three teams.

Featured Today

Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Chris Youngblood (8) and the Alabama Crimson Tide bench celebrate during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.

How Alabama Became College Basketball’s Newest Juggernaut

The Crimson Tide have found success rivaling their historic football program.
Kendall Coyne Schofield
March 25, 2025

Kendall Coyne Schofield Wants More for the Next Wave of Mom-Athletes

The Walter Cup–winning Frost captain says small changes mean “everything.”
Dec 21, 2024; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) looks to pass the ball against USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) in the first half at XL Center.
March 23, 2025

‘More Value to Be Had’: Were Women’s March Madness Media Rights Undersold?

Could the NCAA have gotten millions more in its latest TV deal?
Mar 20, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; Creighton Bluejays forward Jasen Green (0) dunks the ball during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena
March 22, 2025

Basketball-Only Schools Could See Power Surge After House Settlement Approval 

Football teams might monopolize the revenue-sharing dollars at power conference schools.
Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.
August 30, 2024

Premier League Transfer Spending Has Already Topped $2 Billion As Deadline Looms

Saudi Pro League teams haven’t yet matched their English counterparts.
January 13, 2025

Gavin Newsom Reveals Status of 2028 Olympics As Los Angeles Wildfires Roar

Gavin Newsom says there’s a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild Los Angeles.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Paralympics Tiktok
August 25, 2024

The Wildly Successful Paralympics TikTok Account Isn’t What You Think

A cheeky TikTok account is opening the world of Paralympic sports.
August 11, 2024

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028

The city last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.
August 1, 2024

Saudi Arabia Submits Bold World Cup Bid That Includes a Cliffside Arena

The Saudis are proposing a new stadium in a futuristic city called Neom.
John John Florence (USA) surfs in men’s round two competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach.
July 29, 2024

Olympic Surfers Won’t Get Their Full Paris Moment

‘We’re kind of separate off on our own little thing over here.’