Know Your Player – T Natarajan
Cricketing milestones, rise through the ranks, trials and tribulations and their glamorous lifestyles – we cover it all in ‘Know Your Player’, a brand-new section aimed at keeping you updated with everything you need to know! In this edition, we take a look at the pace bowler from Tamil Nadu who has risen to great heights in short duration, T Natarajan. Keep watching this space for a new superstar every time!
The Rise
Natarajan was born in Chinnappampatti, a village near Salem in Tamil Nadu. His father S. Thangarasu, worked as a weaver on a power loom, and his mother ran a fast-food stall. Starting with Tennis ball cricket, Natarajan rose to fame with his consistent performances. He later made his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu in the 2014–15 Ranji Trophy.
His impressive ability to deliver consistent pinpoint yorkers saw Natarajan being bought by the Kings XI Punjab team for ₹3 crores in 2017. He did fade away from the scene until he was back to his elements in IPL 2020. His stellar bowling earned him a spot as one of four additional bowlers to travel with the India cricket team for their tour to Australia.
Varun Chakravarthy’s injury saw Natarajan take his place in the Indian T20I squad. He later made his T20I debut in Australia. Navdeep Saini suffered back spasms which allowed Natarajan to make his ODI debut for India. On the same tour, the pace bowler made his Test debut as well thus representing India in all three formats.
IPL Exploits
In IPL 2017, Natarajan failed to live up to the expectations. In six matches, he managed to take only two wickets. IN 2018, he was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad but did not play his first game for them until 2020. The left-arm pacer was super-impressive in IPL 2020. He claimed 16 wickets in 16 matches and he stood out of the pack for his excellent death bowling skills. He was then ruled out of IPL 2021 after playing two matches due to a knee injury.
Off The Field
Natarajan reached great heights from a very humble background. The pace bowler rose to great fame with his maiden IPL contract. Natarajan set up a cricket academy in Salem thus helping budding cricketers who may not have had such an opportunity before. The Tamil Nadu cricketer was blessed with a baby girl while he was away in Australia.
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