IPL 2018: Just Glad To Be A Part Of The Sunrisers Squad: T Natarajan

Just around a year ago, T Natarajan was all over the news. A relatively unknown entity in the cricketing circles, the left-arm pacer from Tamil Nadu had earned 30 times his base price of INR 10 lakh to become the highest-paid uncapped Indian player. Born to Thangarasu, a daily-wage worker in the weaving industry and Shantha, a meat seller, Natarajan was bought for INR 3 crore by Kings XI Punjab.

Natarajan was bought by Kings XI Punjab for the whopping amount after grabbing the eyeballs in the inaugural season of the Tamil Nadu Premier League. Playing for Dindigul Dragons, he took 10 wickets in seven matches, including a four-wicket haul, at an average of 19.80 and economy rate of 7.33. His best performance came in a Super Over against Tuti Patriots when he nailed six yorkers back to back. He had gone on to establish himself as one of the key members of the Tamil Nadu team that reached the semi-final of the Ranji Trophy in 2016-17.

The 26-year old, however, failed to live up to the expectations. He could pick up just two wickets from six games at an economy rate of 9.07.  Staying away from cricket for almost five months only made things tough for him. The pacer would have feared for the worst during the recently-concluded IPL auction but fortunately, Sunrisers Hyderabad bought him.

And although he was bought for his base price of INR 40 lakh, he is not too disappointed.

“I was out of action for nearly five months, didn’t get to play much cricket. So, regardless of who picked me, I would’ve been pleased. At this point, I’m just glad to be a part of the Sunrisers squad,” he told Sportstar.

He further said that his experience of playing with Kings XI Punjab was a learning curve.

“Playing for Punjab was a great experience,” he said. “I was out of action for nearly five months, didn’t get to play much cricket. So, regardless of who picked me, I would’ve been pleased. At this point, I’m just glad to be a part of the Sunrisers squad.”

“It was my first year in the IPL and all my team-mates, the management, and the support staff there were all very nice and helpful,” he said adding, “Even my game has got better — it (IPL stint) taught me how to handle pressure and what lengths to bowl when the odds are stacked against me.”

Natarajan will now have an opportunity to learn from Bhuvneshwar Kumar who is one of the best bowlers in the world at the moment and the Tamil Nadu man is looking forward to it.

“Of course. Playing alongside him (Kumar) will obviously help. Last season, I wasn’t playing at my best. I wasn’t quite content with my performance. So, this time I wish to give my 100 percent with Hyderabad. The focus will be on bettering my slower balls and delivering yorkers at the death,” he said.

Natarajan went on to admit that IPL has been life-changing.

“Everyone’s talking and writing about me, it’s a new feeling. My parents too are very, very happy. I’m the eldest of five siblings – three sisters and one brother. They’re all excited (laughs),” he said.