Natarajan Is Death Over Specialist, We Missed Him In T20 WC: Ravi Shastri

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has lauded bowler T Natarajan as an expert in terms of death bowling. Shastri also stressed how much the Indian squad lacked a left-arm bowler during the 2021 T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The left-arm bowler, who stole the show during India’s epic Test series triumph in Australia in 2021, sustained a knee injury and was sidelined for over a year before making a return for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022.

To be sure, the Orange Army paid Rs 4 crore for the 31-year-old in the IPL 2022 blockbuster auction. Natarajan made a strong return versus Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) after being pounded in the previous match versus Rajasthan Royals (RR), bagging 2 for 26 from his complete allocation. SRH, on the other hand, experienced their 2nd consecutive setback with a 12-run defeat.

Natarajan Bowls Yorkers Very Skillfully: Ravi Shastri

It should be mentioned that India had a disappointing group-stage elimination in the 2021 T20 World Cup. The Men in Blue also fell to their arch-rivals, Pakistan. “Very happy for him. We missed him in the World Cup. He would’ve been a certainty had he been fit,” Shastri said.

“He got injured against England when we were playing the ODI series and we really missed him (in the World Cup). He’s that specialist death bowler, bowls those Yorkers very skillfully. He’s got great control. He is skiddy. A bit quicker than you think and hits the bat,” Shastri added.

When it comes to Natarajan’s IPL statistics, the left-arm bowler has played 26 matches and taken 24 wickets at an avg of 31.54. He has been quite destructive because he bowls during the sluggish overs. Natarajan’s economic rate is 8.27.

On April 9, SRH will meet the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The match will take place at Mumbai’s Dr. DY Patil Stadium.