T20 World Cup 2024: 'Why Tamil Nadu cricketers...' - S Badrinath's serious allegations against BCCI after T Natarajan's snub

Former Indian cricketer S Badrinath lashed out at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the non-selection of T Natarajan in the team for the T20 World Cup 2024. He questioned the governing body for mistreating Tamil Nadu players.

The Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024 was recently announced and some of the notable performers were missing from the team. One of the omissions from the team that caught the attention of many was the left-arm pacer, T Natarajan.

T Natarajan is one of the most exciting left-arm pacers going in the Indian Cricket. The Sunrisers Hyderabad has been exhibiting his class with the ball both at the start as well as at the death. He has hogged headlines for nailing his yorkers as he has mastered the art to perfection.

In the ongoing Indian Premier League, T Natarajan has been nothing short of exceptional and has been bowling sensationally well. His magnificent death bowling has been one of the main reasons why Sunrisers Hyderabad are amongst the top teams in the tournament.

T Natarajan is the leading wicket-taker in the IPL 2024 with 15 wickets to his name. The fast bowler has an economy rate of 8.96. and a strike rate of only 12.8. Even after being sensational in the IPL, he wasn't picked in the Indian squad as they opted to go with Arshdeep Singh, who has struggled to get going.

S Badrinath believes that with the way T Natarajan has performed in the ongoing IPL 2024, he should've been selected for the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024. He criticized BCCI for not backing Tamil Nadu players despite their performance. Speaking on Star Sports, he stated:

"Why do some Cricketers from Tamil Nadu have to perform double time more to get into? They are not getting the extra backing. T. Natarajan should definitely be included in the Indian team for the World Cup."

I was surprised that he wasn't in the Indian T20 squad - S Badrinath on T Natarajan

S Badrinath further pointed out T Natarajan's ability to bowl yorkers consistently and stated that he was surprised that the left-arm pacer wasn't picked for the T20 World Cup 2024. He added:

"His ability to put that yorker in, his variations of speed when he needs to bowl that, it's something he continues to produce over and over again. That's why I was surprised that he wasn't in the Indian T20 squad because of his consistency of performances, especially when he's bowling in crucial times of the game when batters are going strong. He's someone that everyone in Indian and world cricket is really happy when he's doing well.”

T Natarajan hasn't even been selected in the reserves for the T20 World 2024. Overall, he has played just seven international matches for India. It remains to be seen what will be his future for the team, especially with the kind of performance he has put in the ongoing IPL 2024.