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Oscar-winning producer brings Saurabh Netravalkar’s story to screen
The documentary explores his journey through setbacks, ambition and identity, from Indian cricket hopeful to Team USA star.
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Bhavana P - Thu, 11, Jun 2026
- 18:04 EDT
- 52
Saurabh Netravalkar / Willow by Cricbuzz
Willow by Cricbuzz is set to premiere its first original feature-length documentary, "The Long Game: Saurabh Netravalkar, Between Two Worlds," spotlighting the remarkable journey of India-born cricketer and Silicon Valley engineer Saurabh Netravalkar.
Produced by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Adam Leipzig, the documentary will debut on Willow TV on June 17, followed by its release on Amazon Prime Video on June 18, coinciding with the start of the 2026 Major League Cricket season.
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Directed by Pierre Friquet, the documentary chronicles Netravalkar's journey from a promising young cricketer in India to a lead engineer at Oracle in California and a key member of the U.S. national cricket team. It explores the challenges he faced after falling short of his dream of representing India, his pursuit of higher education at Cornell University, and his eventual return to cricket in the United States.
The documentary also revisits one of the most significant moments in American cricket history - Team USA's stunning victory over Pakistan during the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, in which Netravalkar played a key role.
Netravalkar said the documentary reveals personal struggles and sacrifices that shaped his journey. “Telling this story means sharing parts of my life I’ve kept private, like the doubts, the moments when cricket felt impossible to hold onto, the sacrifices my family made so I could chase two dreams at once. If this film helps even one person believe they don’t have to choose between who they are and who they want to become, then opening up like this was worth it. That’s bigger than cricket, bigger than me.”
Willow chief operating officer Todd Myers said the documentary aims to make cricket more accessible to American audiences by focusing on personal stories rather than the sport alone.
The release comes amid growing interest in cricket in the United States, fueled by Major League Cricket's expansion, Team USA's international successes and the sport's planned return to the Olympics at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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