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By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service<\/a> and Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n Todd Myers, Chief Operating Officer of Willow by Cricbuzz, discusses the company’s expansion into original documentary storytelling with The Long Game: Saurabh Netravalkar, Between Two Worlds.<\/p>\n Saurabh Netravalkar Stars in The Long Game<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n USA Cricket star Saurabh Netravalkar is the subject of Willow by Cricbuzz\u2019s first original feature-length documentary, The Long Game: Saurabh Netravalkar, Between Two Worlds.<\/p>\n Pierre Friquet, Director of The Long Game<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Director Pierre Friquet brings Saurabh Netravalkar\u2019s journey from India to Team USA Cricket to life in Willow by Cricbuzz\u2019s original documentary.<\/p>\n Adam Leipzig, Producer of The Long Game<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Academy Award-winning producer Adam Leipzig produced The Long Game: Saurabh Netravalkar, Between Two Worlds, Willow by Cricbuzz\u2019s first original feature-length documentary.<\/p>\n A preview clip from The Long Game: Saurabh Netravalkar, Between Two Worlds, Willow by Cricbuzz\u2019s first original feature-length documentary. The film follows Saurabh Netravalkar\u2019s journey from aspiring cricketer in India to Team USA cricket star and Silicon Valley engineer.MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — \u00a0Willow by Cricbuzz<\/a>,\u00a0the destination for live, streaming, and on-demand cricket in the US and Canada, \u00a0today announced the premiere of its first original feature-length documentary, The Long Game: Saurabh Netravalkar, Between Two Worlds, premiering June 17 on Willow TV, followed by its June 18 debut on Amazon Prime Video, just in time for the opening of the 2026 Major League Cricket season on June 18.<\/p>\n Produced by Academy Award winner Adam Leipzig, whose 2006 documentary March of the Penguins won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, the film marks Leipzig\u2019s 40th feature film and Willow\u2019s expansion from live sports broadcaster into premium original storytelling. A precursor to The Long Game, Willow\u2019s short documentary American Cricket<\/a> recently earned three Telly Awards, including Silver wins in the General-Sports and General-Unscripted categories.<\/p>\n “Saurabh represents a kind of determination and clarity that reaches far beyond cricket,\u201d said Adam Leipzig, producer of the film. “Whether you know the sport or not, this is a story about persistence, identity and achieving something that once felt impossible. We want people to watch this film and understand why someone keeps fighting for a dream, even after setbacks, uncertainty and years away from the game. That\u2019s what makes his story powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n Directed by Pierre Friquet, The Long Game: Saurabh Netravalkar, Between Two Worlds tells the story of one of the most unlikely figures in modern sports. The documentary follows Netravalkar\u2019s journey from a promising cricket player in India, where he played alongside future Indian cricket stars before an unexpected setback derailed his international career, to earning a master\u2019s degree at Cornell University and building a career as a lead engineer in Silicon Valley, before ultimately helping lead the United States to a historic victory over Pakistan during the 2024 ICC Men\u2019s T20 World Cup, one of the biggest upsets in cricket history. Along the way, the film explores the setbacks, uncertainty and sacrifices that shaped his path, from falling short of his early cricket ambitions in India to rebuilding his life and rediscovering the sport thousands of miles from home.<\/p>\n “Telling this story means sharing parts of my life I\u2019ve 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,\u201d said Saurabh Netravalkar. “If this film helps even one person believe they don\u2019t have to choose between who they are and who they want to become, then opening up like this was worth it. That\u2019s bigger than cricket, bigger than me.\u201d<\/p>\n “For too long, cricket\u2019s growth in America has been limited by how the sport is presented as something foreign or inaccessible,\u201d said Todd Myers, Chief Operating Officer of Willow by Cricbuzz. “Saurabh\u2019s story shows that cricket is already part of the American experience. This documentary is our first step in showing the human side of the sport, not just the game itself. We\u2019re betting that great storytelling, not just great matches, will bring new audiences to cricket.\u201d<\/p>\n The Long Game will premiere on Willow TV on Wednesday, June 17 at 8 p.m. EDT, followed by an encore presentation at 10 p.m. EDT. The documentary will debut on Amazon Prime Video on Thursday, June 18, with broader U.S. distribution and an international rollout across India, South Asia, the UK, Australia and the Caribbean planned for later this summer, positioning the film to reach both mainstream American audiences and global cricket communities.<\/p>\n The documentary arrives as cricket experiences unprecedented growth in the United States, fueled by Major League Cricket\u2019s upcoming fourth season, Team USA\u2019s historic upset over Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup, and anticipation for cricket\u2019s return to the Olympics at LA28. With the sport poised to reach mainstream American audiences, The Long Game offers both longtime fans and newcomers an entry point into cricket through character-driven storytelling.<\/p>\n About Willow by Cricbuzz<\/p>\n Willow by Cricbuzz is the premier destination for cricket in the United States and Canada, boasting the most comprehensive live, streaming, and on-demand cricket coverage available. Guided by its mission to make cricket globally accessible, Willow by Cricbuzz combines cricket\u2019s rich heritage with innovative broadcasting to offer an unmatched viewing experience.<\/p>\n Dedicated to excellence and innovation, Willow by Cricbuzz provides cricket enthusiasts with HD-quality live streaming and extensive coverage from nearly every major cricket board and tournament worldwide.<\/p>\n Willow by Cricbuzz\u2019s TV network is also available through top providers such as DISH, Sling, Fios, Spectrum, Xfinity, Optimum, DIRECTV, DIRECTV Stream, Fubo and Yupp TV, and also offers a dedicated streaming app available on all major CTV devices, including Apple TV, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Google TV, and more, ensuring fans never miss a moment of the action.<\/p>\n Explore the ultimate cricket experience at www.willow.tv<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more information, contact:<\/p>\n Albert Heape<\/p>\n Bob Gold & Associates<\/a><\/p>\n O: 310-320-2010 \/ M: 224-678-6250<\/p>\n [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/NewsRoom\/AttachmentNg\/8e53c519-f75b-401b-a9e0-eeee8074c209<\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/NewsRoom\/AttachmentNg\/d90d2c3b-5621-4a9d-9fc1-383cc4cf83cf<\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/NewsRoom\/AttachmentNg\/4ee09ce0-e459-44c9-958d-c38a02f1540d<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n