'If I had taken the catch, we could have put them under more pressure'- Saurabh Netravalkar on dropping Suryakumar Yadav

The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 clash between India and co-hosts USA at the Nassau County Stadium on Wednesday hung in the balance when a crucial moment occurred in the 13th over of India's chase. Suryakumar Yadav, well set on 22, lofted a drive over the off-side of Shadley van Schalkwyk's bowling.

USA's Saurabh Netravalkar, stationed at short third man, had to scramble back but managed to get in position under the skied chance. However, the left-arm seamer missed the opportunity, giving the dangerous Yadav a second lifeline.

Netravalkar's missed catch proved costly as SKY went on to score an unbeaten 50 off 49 balls, putting on a match-winning 67-run stand with Shivam Dube. India won the game by seven wickets with 10 balls to spare, chasing down USA's low total of 110.

"It's on me. If I had taken the catch, we could have put them under more pressure," Netravalkar said after USA's defeat to India.

Also read: Why were USA fined five-run penalty vs India in T20 World Cup 2024 match?

Call him the Iceman now after that Super Over: Stuart Law

Earlier, the pacer had a brilliant start with the ball in his hand, removing Virat Kohli for a golden duck and dismissing Rohit Sharma in his next over to leave India reeling at 10/2. His final figures of 2/18 in four overs were highly impressive.

USA's bowling coach Stuart Law felt the dropped chance was potentially the turning point of the game against the Men in Blue. Law also highlighted the importance of taking early wickets against India's stacked batting lineup.

“Call him the Iceman now after that Super Over. And look, when he's running hot like that, one more wicket at that stage could have been the difference. So, we needed to take wickets. We needed to bowl India out basically to win the game. We were never going to contain them with the power hitters they still had in the shed. Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel are still to come. We needed to bowl them out so wickets up front were crucial. We just didn't quite get enough in that power play," Stuart Law said in the post-match press conference.

Also read: USA's Qualification Scenario - Can they reach Super 8 after loss to India?

Despite the loss, Netravalkar has produced several inspirational performances in the tournament so far, including bowling a tense Super Over against Pakistan. Though the USA missed the opportunity against India, Netravalkar and the USA are still alive to qualify for the Super 8 stage if they win over Ireland in their final group game.

"I love my job at Oracle, and this [cricket] is, of course, my love. I enjoy entering the field, and bowling every ball that I do. I'm blessed that I get to do what I love most of the time in the day," he concluded.