'22 grads drafted to play professional cricket

Twin brothers Saurabh Patwal '22 and Gaurav Patwal '22 are professional cricketers — perhaps Augustana’s first. They just wrapped up their rookie season for the Dallas Xforia Giants in the USA Minor League Cricket Association. Both are fast bowling all-rounders, a position that demands speed, strength and stamina.

The brothers grew up in India, and started playing cricket together when they were 5 years old. After seventh grade, their focus shifted to basketball, which they played throughout high school and college. Gaurav also represented the Indian National Basketball Team in the World Cup.

After Augustana, they returned to the sport of their childhood — Saurabh with the Quad Cities Cricket Club and Gaurav with the Omaha (Nebraska) Cricket Association, where he lived at the time.

"Our teammates recommended that we move to Dallas, the center of USA cricket, if we wanted to play at a higher level," Saurabh said. "We both moved in early March of this year and started training with professional cricketers."

As they continued to learn and improve and play well in local leagues, they were invited by Major League Cricket, Team USA and T20 Cricket World Cup teams to attend selective training camps with international cricket players and coaches.

"As coaches, players and scouts recognized our talent, we both got drafted," Saurabh said.

During the season, they trained in the evenings after work and played matches on the weekends. Both are cybersecurity professionals; Saurabh is a cyber data analyst at Aon Cyber Solutions, and Gaurav is an assistant vice president–fraud detection analytics for Bank of America. Both reside in McKinney, Texas, about 30 miles from Dallas.

“I believe it’s all about finding the right balance and having good management skills, which I learned during my time at Augustana,” said Saurabh, who graduated with multiple majors. “I learned the importance of time management, discipline and never giving up on my dreams.”

Guaurav also graduated with multiple majors and appreciates his Augustana experience for teaching him how to find balance in life and be able do what he enjoys.

"I prioritize my work during work hours, and I practice after work hours," he said. "One of the biggest things that has helped me is being a disciple to what I am doing. If I am working, I give my 100% to work and vice versa."

What’s next for the Patwal brothers? Hopefully representing Team USA and playing for Major League Cricket.

Stay tuned.