T20 World Cup: USA’s Saurabh Netravalkar says gamers don’t talk about India-Pakistan points | Cricket Information – The Instances of India – Imperial Wire

MUMBAI: Amid political tensions between India and Pakistan, USA quick bowler Saurabh Netravalkar mentioned such points have by no means been a subject of dialogue throughout the US group, regardless that many gamers have roots within the two international locations.The India-Pakistan league-stage match of the 2026 T20 World Cup, scheduled in Colombo on February 15, is unsure after Pakistan refused to participate. Nonetheless, talking on Friday, a day earlier than USA’s match opener in opposition to India on the Wankhede Stadium, Netravalkar mentioned the squad stays targeted solely on representing the US.

“Sure we’ve gamers from all components of the world. We gel and bond collectively due to our love for the sport. And no I don’t suppose we’ve ever mentioned the India-Pakistan points amongst ourselves. I don’t suppose so at the very least. We’re all proud to play for USA and that is what we give attention to,” Netravalkar mentioned.“We’re a gaggle of individuals from a number of international locations throughout the group and what brings us collectively is the love of the sport. We’re proud to symbolize the USA,” he added.For Netravalkar, the match in opposition to India may even be a private milestone. The left-arm seamer grew up in Mumbai and realized his cricket on the Wankhede. He mentioned enjoying on the venue would fulfil a long-held ambition.“It seems like a full circle second for me as a result of I learnt my cricket right here. I grew up in Mumbai, and getting a chance to play at Wankhede, which has been my dream since childhood as effectively. So nostalgic, emotional, (and) good to see (it taking place). I am trying ahead to my household, associates to be there, and I will give my finest,” mentioned the 34-year-old.Netravalkar mentioned the presence of former Mumbai gamers within the US squad, together with Harmeet Singh and Shubham Ranjane, supplies some understanding of Indian circumstances, although he acknowledged that the sport has modified considerably.“It undoubtedly helps, however frankly talking, it has been a very long time. Like, I final performed in India in 2014, 2015, issues have modified drastically. The sport itself has modified drastically. It is grow to be a lot extra aggressive from the higher’s perspective, so I would not evaluate it. Sure, the expertise helps, however the recreation may be very completely different,” he mentioned.Netravalkar was a part of the US group that beat Pakistan in Dallas a few years in the past, when he took 2 for 18 in 4 overs in a seven-wicket win. On Indian pitches, he mentioned the strategy could be completely different, with the give attention to injury management.“The main target will extra be on minimising the injury, such as you’re saying (there are) excessive scoring pitches right here. Each ball that we bowl, (it ought to be) to the sphere, so long as we bowl to the sphere, we bowl to our matchups and maximise our probabilities. Defence is likely to be the most effective assault on this sort of pitches and hopefully we induce a mistake on a false shot, that is the most effective we will do as bowlers on these wickets,” he mentioned.