The Unlikely Heroes of the 100-ball Cricket World Cup
It’s the magic of the 100-ball cricket world cup, inspiring fans to fall in love with the game and a fresh set of American heroes. The US, a raw band of part-timers, has delivered one of the greatest upsets in cricket history by beating a traditional powerhouse, Pakistan, in their world cup debut. This improbable achievement, coupled with their opening victory over Canada and a washout against Ireland, has now qualified the US for the Super 8 stage, alongside tournament favorites India.
The US team is coached by former Australian batter Stuart Law, and their star bowler, Saurabh Netravalkar, is a software engineer at Oracle. Netravalkar, born in Mumbai and a former India under-19 player, bowled the tie-breaking “super over” against Pakistan and dismissed Indian superstar Virat Kohli. Batter and vice-captain Aaron Jones, born in Queens and raised in Barbados, also played a crucial role in the win over Canada, smashing 10 sixes.
“This year’s 100-ball cricket world cup, jointly hosted by the West Indies and the US for the first time, aims to capitalize on the huge diaspora from cricket hotbeds and introduce the sport to American audiences.”
Three US venues, including a 34,000-capacity temporary stadium on Long Island, have been used, hosting a high-demand clash between India and Pakistan.
The compact T20 format, with matches lasting under three hours and an emphasis on power-hitting, has been likened to “cricket on steroids” and is seen as the sport’s equivalent of TikTok. While the lack of free-to-air coverage in the US is a challenge, the US team’s heroics have led to a TV deal with the New York Yankees’ network to show select matches of the upcoming Major League Cricket T20 league. As cricket prepares to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, the American team’s journey at the ongoing world cup represents a significant milestone for the sport’s growth in the country.
🔗 Source