Virat Kohli Lauds 'Hard Working', 'Humble' T Natarajan

Indian captain Virat Kohli heaped high praise on debutant Indian pacer and the latest sensation in Indian cricket, T Natarajan, adding that the southpaw could be a great asset for the team in the 2021 T20 World Cup.

T Natarajan had a sensational outing in the recently-concluded three-match T20I series, where he emerged as the leader of the pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.

Natarajan gave away just 83 runs in the 12 overs he delivered across the three games for his six wickets. Kohli lauded T Natarajan for the composure that he showed and the manner in which he stepped up to the party in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.

“Natarajan special mention for him as in absence of Bumrah and Shami. He is been the guy who has stood up and really delivered under pressure. And it’s an outstanding fact that he playing his first game at the international level,” Virat Kohli said during a virtual press conference.

“He looks very composed and is a very hard-working guy and very humble too. I wish him all the best and a left-arm bowler is always an asset on the field and if he can be consistent it will be a great thing for us heading into the World Cup next year,” he added.

‘The stand out is the guys are not giving up’- Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli also went on to heap high praise on the youngsters in his squad who stood up to the occasion and put in spirited performances to script a turnaround to the teams’ fortunes after consecutive defeats in the first two ODIs.

He lauded the character of the squad who, despite having not much exposure at the international level, rose to the challenge and helped the team win three out of the next four games following consecutive drubbings.

“The fact that this was the squad who haven’t had so much exposure at the international level from that point of view it was a very nice performance especially after losing first two ODIs we came back nicely in the third and showed belief,” Kohli said.

“And we carried that momentum in the first T20Is fighting back till the last minute. Even today’s game was also a close encounter. I think the stand out is the guys are not giving up. Someone is putting up their hand every time and making an impact for the team,” he added.

Also Read- T Natarajan Should Stay Back For Test Series To Help Indian Batsmen In Nets: Harbhajan Singh