Revealed: Why is T Natarajan not playing today's DC vs LSG IPL 2025 match?

The 33-year-old India National Cricket Team left-arm pacer T Natarajan is shockingly not playing for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 opening match.

The 4th match of the Indian Premier League 2025 is seeing the clash between the Delhi Capitals and the Lucknow Super Giants at the Dr. YSR Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam on Monday, March 24.

Also Read: Revealed: Who are the impact players nominated by DC and LSG in match 4 of IPL 2025

T Natarajan misses the DC vs LSG IPL 2025 match

Star pacer left-arm pacer T Natarajan was bought by the Delhi Capitals for Rs 10.75 crore at the mega auction. Considering his reputation and his class, he was expected to be a sure-shot starter for the Delhi Capitals.

However, he was shockingly not named in the Delhi Capitals playing XI and he was also not part of the Impact Subs. In his absence, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, and Mitchell Starc have been picked as the three frontline seamers. While the Impact Subs of DC are Karun Nair, Ashutosh Sharma, Donovan Ferreira, Tripurana Vijay, and Darshan Nalkande.

Coming back to T Natarajan, he is not playing today's match against Lucknow Super Giants, most likely, because of fitness issues.

T Natarajan has not played any competitive cricket since his appearance in the Tamil Nadu Premier League in July-August 2024 due to a shoulder injury. Also, there were reports that T Natarajan wasn't fully fit during the pre-season camp of DC and didn't bowl in full tilt.

Axar Patel is one of the unsung heroes of Indian cricket - Simon Doull

The cricketer-turned-commentator Simon Doull shared his views on the Delhi Capitals squad while speaking on Cricbuzz ahead of the DC vs LSG clash.

Simon Doull said that Delhi Capitals have got a very strong squad on paper and they will be led by a strong personality in Axar Patel, who is one of the unsung heroes of Indian cricket in the last few years. He elaborated:

"If Starc needs a rest like he did last year, Chameera is not a bad replacement from my mind. It's a side I think is a very strong side on paper. I mean, you know, Axar Patel is one of the unsung heroes of Indian cricket in the last few years. He's a cracking player. Brilliant. You know, and to me, he's just that genuine all-rounder. He'll gun in the field.

"He will... I mean, look at the Champions Trophy. He was popped into bat at five when it was either trouble or something was needed. He just never lets you down."

He doesn't quite get the plaudits he deserves - Simon Doull

He further said that Axar Patel doesn't get the praise he deserves as an international cricketer. Doull said:

"Just as an international cricketer, he doesn't quite get the plaudits he deserves, I don't think. And he very rarely ever lets any team down that he plays for. So I'm pleased to see his captain.

"Yeah. I think that responsibility will make him even better. And as I say, with the ball, with the bat and in the field, I just think he's, you know... I mean, he's had to play second fiddle to one of the best we've seen in Jadeja. For a long, long period of time. But he's not far behind."