The match played between USA and India in T20 World Cup 2024 was full of excitement. Let us tell you that this was the first time that both the teams clashed in international cricket. Team India had first restricted USA to 110 runs by bowling brilliantly.

Team India, which came out to chase the target, suffered two big setbacks early. Saurabh Netravalkar dismissed Virat Kohli for a golden duck and Rohit Sharma (3). Team India had to struggle for a while, but then the team won by 7 wickets on the basis of Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten half-century innings.

The Indian-origin players in the USA team have impressed everyone with their performance in the ongoing tournament. These players have also played for India’s junior teams, including Saurabh Netravalkar, Harmeet Singh and Monank Patel. All three of these players talked about their Indian connection before the match against India.

I made my debut in first-class cricket with Rohit Sharma- Harmeet Singh

Speaking on Star Sports, Saurabh Netravalkar, Harmeet Singh and Monank Patel revealed that they have played junior cricket with some of the players in the Indian team. Harmeet Singh revealed that he and Indian captain Rohit Sharma studied in the same school. And both of them made their debut in first-class cricket together. Harmeet Singh said,

Rohit is from my school, and he had just graduated when I joined. I made my first-class cricket debut with him and he also played the Under-19 World Cup before me. It was really exciting to see someone from the Mumbai area go out there and win the world. In Bombay, it was all beyond the schools and cricketers in Bandra, but Rohit started it in the suburbs, and from there we all followed. I have played Under-19 with Sanju, Kuldeep and Axar.

Surya and I grew up playing for Mumbai- Saurabh Netravalkar

Saurabh Netravalkar said that he and Suryakumar Yadav are close friends since childhood. The fast bowler said while talking,

Suryakumar has been a really close friend. I have seen him since our Under-15 days, we grew up playing together for Mumbai. He was always special, he scored double centuries in Under-15 and Under-17 matches. He had that talent and we knew he would do something special in the future. He got a chance to play for India late after me, but I am really happy for him. I am excited to meet him and it is an opportunity to play not only against him but also against many players we have played with. I don’t know how to get Surya out, but I think I will just try to play my role, what the team needs from me, and we will see how it goes.

Akshar Patel comes from the same city as me – Monank Patel

Meanwhile, America’s captain Monak Patel said that he has played with Jaspreet Bumrah and Akshar Patel during Under-15 and Under-19 cricket. Monak Patel said,

I have played with Axar and Bumrah in Under-19 and Under-15 matches. Axar comes from the same city as me. It is a small city, and obviously he has inspired and encouraged many youngsters from there. I am happy to see him progressing and playing good cricket.