Ahead of the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/t20-world-cup-2026-harbhajan-singh-feels-suryakumar-yadav-is-saving-big-runs-for-mega-event-23612070" rel="nofollow">T20 World Cup 2026</a>, Mumbai-born cricketer Saurabh Netravalkar, who now represents the USA, expressed his feeling on being able to play at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The USA will open their global showpiece campaign by playing a clash against Team India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7.
Ahead of the game, the pacer stated that it is going to be an emotional moment for him and also said it is a kind of full-circle moment for him.
"I wouldn't know how I would react there. But it is an emotional moment, for sure. Kind of like a full circle moment because I started playing cricket in Mumbai and gave up on the sport and moved to the US and never even expected to play cricket again. International (<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/u-19-world-cup-vaibhav-sooryavanshi-abhigyan-kundu-earn-praise-from-skipper-ayush-mhatre-after-bangladesh-clash-23612537" rel="nofollow">cricket</a>) wasn't even a thought," he said.
"So, it's like a second innings, that cricket gave me that chance and brought me back to Mumbai. So, in that sense, it's nostalgic and emotional, but it's not playing on my mind per se," added Netravalkar.
Back then, while representing Mumbai, he played a first-class match along with <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/syed-mushtaq-ali-trophy-suryakumar-yadav-to-play-under-shardul-thakur-for-mumbai-23604355" rel="nofollow">Suryakumar Yadav</a> and Shardul Thakur in 2013. He has also represented India in the 2010 U-19 World Cup.
When asked if he visualised playing at the venue in front of his family and friends.
"Kind of, yes. I wouldn't say in this particular way, but as a kid, obviously, growing up in Mumbai, I have always, since I started playing cricket, dreamt about playing for the country and hopefully at Wankhede. We've been training at Wankhede since our under-15 days," he said.
"Very grateful that this opportunity has come about whilst playing for the USA. My family and friends will be there. So yeah, I am looking forward to giving my best effort," added the 34-year-old USA pacer.
The USA has been placed in Group A of the T20 World Cup 2026 along with the teams such as <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ind-vs-nz-3rd-odi-shubman-gill-wins-toss-elects-to-bowl-first-against-new-zealand-23612533" rel="nofollow">India</a>, Pakistan, Namibia and the Netherlands. The marquee tournament will kick off with the first game scheduled to be played between Pakistan and the Netherlands on February 7 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Sri Lanka.
(With PTI Inputs)

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