Sunrisers Hyderabad’s T Natarajan celebrates after the dismissal of KL Rahul.
Describing T Natarajan as a death bowling specialist, former coach Ravi Shastri said that the Indian team was missing a left-arm pacer during the T20 World Cup defeat in the UAE.
Natarajan, who came into the limelight in India’s historic Test series win Down Under in early 2021, suffered a knee injury and missed most of the year before making a comeback in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s second match. IPL-15 here on Monday.
“Very happy for him. We missed him in the World Cup. He was sure he was fit,” Shastri said. espncricinfo,
India made a heart-wrenching place from the group stage in the T20 World Cup in 2021.
“He got injured against England when we were playing the ODI series and we really missed him (in the World Cup).
Shastri said, “He is that specialist death bowler who bowls yorkers very efficiently. He has very good control. He is skiddy. A little faster than you think and hits the bat.”
The 31-year-old, who was bought back by SRH for Rs 4 crore, made a good comeback after 12 months, taking 2 for 26 from his full quota of four overs, even as he suffered a second consecutive loss . 12 run defeat.
Shastri was the head coach when the left-arm pacer made his debut for India in all three formats in his memorable 2020-21 tour of Australia. The former coach said that Natarajan was a lucky charm for him.
“Whatever match I have picked him, we have won. In his T20 debut, India won. In his Test debut, India won. With a net bowler, he played the other two formats,” Shastri said.
SRH will next face defending champions Chennai Super Kings on 9 April.