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USA Cricket has announced significant changes to its ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming tour of the Netherlands, marking the beginning of a new era following their historic World Cup campaign. The team will be without one of their standout performers, Saurabh Netravalkar, who has been granted parental leave following the birth of his first child. Similarly, wicketkeeper-batsman Andries Gous, another World Cup sensation, will miss the ODI leg of the tour due to parental leave.
Key Absences and Squad Changes
Apart from Netravalkar, the selection committee has made four additional changes to the T20 World Cup squad. Notably, Corey Anderson, who had an indifferent showing with the bat during the World Cup, has been left out. Despite a recent match-winning 59* for MI New York in the Major League Cricket (MLC), Anderson’s lower-order position limited his opportunities to secure a spot in the national team.
Left-arm spinning all-rounder Nisarg Patel, who was benched throughout the World Cup, has also been dropped. His exclusion allows the selectors to diversify the spin attack by bringing in wrist spinner Yasir Mohammad, who has previously played in two T20Is for the USA. Middle-order batsman Milind Kumar has been axed from the T20I squad due to a poor run of scores but retains his place in the ODI squad, thanks to his impressive List A average of 43 in India. Additionally, 36-year-old fast bowling all-rounder Shadley Van Schalkwyk has been excluded from the T20I squad but is included in the ODI setup for the first time.
Young Talent and Surprising Selections
Selectors have shown continued faith in young opening batsman Sai Teja Mukkamalla, who is now part of both the ODI and T20I squads. Mukkamalla gained attention after an unbeaten century against UAE as a 19-year-old in 2022. However, the selection of 17-year-old USA U19 batsman Utkarsh Srivastava over experienced players like Sanjay Krishnamurthy and Ali Sheikh has raised eyebrows. Krishnamurthy recently made headlines with a sensational 79* off 42 deliveries for the Unicorns in the MLC, making his exclusion particularly surprising.
Gous’ Leave and New Opportunities
Gous’ request for parental leave opened the door for former India U19 wicketkeeper-batsman Smit Patel to join the ODI squad. Patel, who has battled injuries following a near-fatal car accident, has had a prolific run in the Houston Cricket League this year. His inclusion reflects the selectors’ willingness to reward domestic form despite being overlooked by MLC franchises.
Other Notable Exclusions and Inclusions
Unmukt Chand’s absence from the national side, despite being the only domestic batsman to score two half-centuries, casts doubt on the MLC’s status as the premier pathway tournament. Additionally, the selection of Abhishek Paradkar in both white-ball squads over more consistent performers like Corne Dry and Stephen Wiig has sparked debate. Dry and Wiig have been standout players at the Minor League level, while Paradkar has struggled to secure a place in his minor league team.
The future of players like Cameron Gannon and Brody Couch, US citizens living abroad, remains uncertain. USA Cricket chairman Venu Pisike has emphasized the need for a clear selection policy, indicating that discussions are underway to establish criteria for selection.
Squads for the Netherlands Tour
ODI Squad:
- Monank Patel (Captain)
- Aaron Jones (Vice Captain)
- Smit Patel
- Abhishek Paradkar
- Harmeet Singh
- Juanoy Drysdale
- Jasdeep Singh
- Milind Kumar
- Nosthusha Kenjige
- Saiteja Mukkamalla
- Steven Taylor
- Shayan Jahangir
- Shadley Van Schalkwyk
- Utkarsh Srivastava
- Yasir Mohammad
T20I Squad:
- Monank Patel (Captain)
- Aaron Jones (Vice Captain)
- Andries Gous
- Abhishek Paradkar
- Harmeet Singh
- Juanoy Drysdale
- Jasdeep Singh
- Muhammad-Ali Khan
- Nitish Kumar
- Nosthusha Kenjige
- Saiteja Mukkamalla
- Steven Taylor
- Shayan Jahangir
- Utkarsh Srivastava
- Yasir Mohammad
These changes reflect USA Cricket’s commitment to building a competitive team by blending experienced players with emerging talent. As they embark on the Netherlands tour, the squad’s composition and the upcoming performances will be closely watched by cricket enthusiasts and selectors alike.
