Being one of the debutants who shined in the recently concluded Australia tour T Natarajan said that he had tears in his eyes when Virat Kohli handed him a T20 trophy.
T Natarajan’s rise in international cricket has been staggering and extraordinary. Natarajan, who gained a lot of attention for his phenomenal death bowling abilities in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, was later added as a net bowler to India’s squad touring Australia.
Natarajan's brilliance in IPL earned him his maiden India call-up for the Australia tour as he was added to the T20I squad after Varun Chakravarthy was ruled out with an injury. The former was later drafted into ODIs and Test side.
T Natarajan had a dream series in Australia as he became the first Indian player to debut in all three formats of the game on the same tour. He played a key part in India winning the T20I series and also picked up three wickets on his Test debut in Brisbane, playing his role in helping India win the four-match Test series 2-1.
On returning home to Chinnapampatti in the Salem district of Tamil Nadu, Natarajan received a hero's welcome.
AUS v IND 2020-21: WATCH - T Natarajan receives grand welcome in native village near Salem
While addressing the media Natarajan said he got emotional when Virat Kohli handed him the T20 trophy. He also talked about the experience he got from playing in the IPL.
"When Kohli handed over the trophy to me after the T20 series win, I had tears in my eyes. Having played in the IPL and played alongside many Indian and foreign players helped as that experience was useful. I could communicate with them and learn from them. First, it was tough but as things went on, I was able to pick up many things,” T Natarajan told reporters.
T Natarajan revealed that he was not expecting to make his debut and said that playing and taking a wicket was like a dream.
"I was keen to do my job. But I didn't expect to get an opportunity in the ODIs, was not expecting to make my debut in Australia. When I was told that I will be playing there was pressure. I wanted to make use of the opportunity. Playing and taking a wicket was like a dream.,” he said.
T Natarajan said that playing for India felt like a dream. He also talked about the support he got from the coaches and players.
"I cannot express my happiness in words about playing for India. It was like a dream. I got a lot of support from the coaches, players. They supported and motivated me a lot. I was able to perform well because of their backing,” said T Natarajan.
T Natarajan, 29, talked through his rise from domestic cricket. He said he was under the pump to perform in Australia and thanked God for his success.
"My first aim was to play for Tamil Nadu, step by step everything happened, it was like a dream. Hard work is the key, it will take one places. I thank Almighty for everything.I was under pressure to perform when the opportunity was offered. My only thought was to take wickets. It was like a dream to take Australian wickets,” he said.
Natarajan was also away from his family and missed the birth of his first child. After the IPL, he flew straight to Australia.
Referring to the same Natarajan said "More than the newborn, my wife and I were proud that I could play for my country. Hard work will never go to waste. It is always rewarding."
During the Australia tour, Natarajan got to lock horns with his Sunrisers captain David Warner and said Warner, his captain at Sunrisers Hyderabad, had good things to say about him.
"Warner said he was very proud of me. He was happy to see my progress. He told me during the match that you are very lucky and told me that I was doing well because my daughter had been born," the Tamil Nadu pacer said.
(News 18 Inputs)
