The 30-year-old Natarajan took 16 wickets while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
T Natarajan with Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Left-handed yorker specialist T Natarajan bowled wonderfully in the last season of the IPL. He took 16 wickets while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The 30-year-old Natarajan threw the highest number of 71 yorkers among fast bowlers in the last IPL. He dismissed big names like Mahendra Singh Dhoni and AB de Villiers. Now Natarajan said that during the Indian Premier League last year, former Indian captain Dhoni had advised him to put on slow bouncers and cutters which helped him to hone his skills.
In a conversation with ESPNcricinfo, Natarajan said, “Talking to a player like Dhoni is a big thing in itself. He talked to me about fitness and encouraged me. Said that I will get better with experience. He said that use slow bouncers, cutters and such variety. It should be useful for me. Dhoni was dismissed by Sunrisers Hyderabad fast bowler Natarajan. This fast bowler was included as a reserve player in the Indian team for the tour of Australia due to his brilliant performance in the IPL and was later included in the main team. Natarajan managed to make her debut in all three formats during the tour of Australia.
Dhoni hit the first six and then got out
Remembering Dhoni’s wicket, Natarajan said, ‘I bowled near the bat and he gave a big six – around 102 meters. I took his wicket on the next ball (and did not celebrate) – I was just thinking about the last ball. I was happy after returning to the dressing room. I also spoke with him after the match was over. During the IPL, Natarajan also dismissed de Villiers, who represent Royal Challengers Bangalore in this breathtaking league. On this day Natarajan also became a father. Natarajan said,
On one side came the daughter to my house and on the other side I got a significant wicket in the knockout match. I was very happy but I did not tell the rest of my colleagues about this (daughter). I thought I would tell everyone about this after winning the match, but my captain (David) Warner told this to everyone during the prize distribution ceremony after the match.
Natarajan’s Sunrisers team will start their campaign in the IPL against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday.
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