Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has showered rich praise on T Natarajan, saying the young pacer’s confidence has been a big boost for Team India in the ongoing white-ball series against Australia.
Harbhajan’s comments came after Natarajan returned with the figures of 4-0-20-2 in India’s series-clinching six-wicket win over Australia in the second T20I at SCG on Sunday (December 6).
See Also: Cricket fraternity praises T Natarajan for economical bowling in second T20I
In his T20I debut at the Manuka Oval on December 4, the left-armer claimed 3/30 in his 4 overs as India defeated the hosts by 13 runs.
It was only last week that Natarajan made his ODI debut in the final match of the series in which he picked a couple of wickets in the victorious cause.
"Well, I am so happy for Natarajan. The way he has gone about his life and the way he is performing is unbelievable. It shows that if you keep the faith and keep working hard and believe in yourselves, anything is possible," Harbhajan told India Today.
"He has been a brilliant bowler for India in this series. He has been one of those major pillars in this series. Picking up wickets when India needed those wickets.
"He showed he has the potential to be there and win games for Team India. He is someone who is very confident, whatever I have seen on screen, he is not afraid of getting hit. That's something very special. At that level, all that matters is how confident you are," he explained.
Hardik Pandya earned the Player-of-the-Match award for his heroics with the bat in the second T20I but the all-rounder felt Natarajan was more deserving of the honour for his fine effort with the ball.
According to Harbhajan Singh, Natarajan is in consideration to bag the Player-of-the-Series award and such an honour in his maiden T20I series will be a huge confidence booster for the youngster.
"If he becomes man of the series, it will boost his confidence and how! Becoming Man of the Series against Australia and that too in Australia will be a big, big boost for him. It's a big plus for Team India. It's a great story... where he has come from and what he is doing for Team India," Harbhajan remarked.
"I think he is raw, he has not been seen in international cricket. There is not much footage about him. More he will play, batsmen will judge his line, length and pace. It's going to get tougher. He needs to work hard on his game and keep improving," he concluded.
