Saurabh Netravalkar

Saurabh Netravalkar is an exceptionally skilled, tactically supreme left-arm fast-medium bowler and a true folk hero of American cricket who stands as one of the most clinical and universally respected white-ball enforcers in the global game. Born on October 16, 1991, in Mumbai, India, Netravalkar famously spearheaded India’s bowling attack at the 2010 ICC U19 World Cup as their leading wicket-taker before choosing to prioritize his academic pursuits, moving to the United States to earn a Master’s degree in Computer Science at Cornell University. Seamlessly balancing his career as a principal software engineer at Oracle with an extraordinary international sporting renaissance, the former United States captain famously achieved global superstardom during the 2024 T20 World Cup, defending an iconic Super Over against Pakistan to trigger a cricketing revolution in America.

On the Major League Cricket (MLC) circuit, Netravalkar serves as the definitive frontline weapon and primary structural anchor for the Washington Freedom. During Washington's historic championship-winning run, he put on an absolute masterclass of powerplay and death-overs dominance, shattering tournament records to finish as the league's leading wicket-taker with 15 scalps at a staggering average of 7.73. Safely retained as the crown jewel of Washington’s domestic core under the elite tactical stewardship of Ricky Ponting, and fresh off a highly prestigious developmental stint within the IPL 2026 setup with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Netravalkar enters the MLC 2026 campaign fully primed. Tasked with exploiting the new ball, breaking top orders, and delivering under maximum pressure in the clutch overs, his street-smart tactical awareness and world-class defensive blueprint make him a central engine room operator poised to lead Washington's fierce defense of their MLC crown.