The left-arm pacer, T Natarajan, has been putting some consistent performances in domestic cricket and also in IPL. However, consistent injuries have derailed his career. India’s veteran off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, recently talked about Natarajan’s absence from the Duleep Trophy squad. Regular senior players like Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are part of the squads.
Ashwin praised Natarajan as a top-notch white-ball bowler, noting his impressive performance in the IPL, this year. However, he pointed out a significant concern. Natarajan hasn’t played a first-class match since the Test match against Australia in Brisbane on January 15, 2021.
Ashwin highlighted that Natarajan has been struggling with injuries and has not been active on the field for the past three years.
Despite his admiration for Natarajan’s skills and character, Ashwin expressed hesitation about recommending him for red-ball cricket (Test matches) unless Natarajan returns to first-class cricket and proves himself. Essentially, Ashwin supports Natarajan but stresses that his lack of recent red-ball experience and ongoing fitness issues are major factors in his current stance.
“I feel Natarajan is a fantastic white-ball bowler. He did well in IPL this year. His last first-class match was Australia vs India at Brisbane January 15th in 2021. He has not put himself on the park for the last 3 years. He is broken down when he’s picked and he is not played. We are backing him a lot. I like Natarajan a lot. He is a very good guy. But, just for the sake of it, I won’t say it today. If Natarajan played red-ball cricket and made it to Tamil Nadu, I will definitely say that he should play there,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
T Natarajan has played one Test so far in his career
Natarajan was part of the historic Test match win against Australia at the Gabba during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2020-21. Indian team was consistently suffering with injuries in that series and Natarajan, who was a net bowler in that series, was brought into the playing XI in the final Test match in Australia fortress. He bowled beautifully under pressure. India secured a historic win and went on to win the series.
T Natarajan picked 19 wickets in IPL 2024 (Image Courtesy: X)
Natarajan was superb in IPL 2024 as well, as he picked up 19 wickets in the tournament. In the 2024 season of the Tamil Nadu Premier League, he picked up 12 wickets. He has not been part of Test cricket since the knee surgery that he had in 2021.
