Fast bowler T Natarajan was one of the finds for Team India in the recently held tour of Australia. He made his debut in all three formats during the tour Down Under.
While Natarajan claimed six wickets to script India’s 2-1 T20I series victory, he took a couple of scalps on his ODI debut in the third game of the series.
The left-arm pacer became the 300th cricketer to represent the country in the longest format of the game as he was handed the Test cap by bowling coach Bharat Arun at the Gabba. He returned with 5 wickets in India’s series-clinching victory in Brisbane.
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In an exclusive chat with TOI, Natarajan, who came into the limelight after his heroics in the IPL 2020 for Sunrisers Hyderabad, reflected on his last 6 months and said: “It all feels like a dream. I was hoping to get a chance to play in the IPL (for Sunrisers Hyderabad). Once I began doing well in the IPL, five months just went like a blur. I am very happy and the last few months have been unforgettable.”
Sharing the experience of being part of the Indian dressing room, the 29-year-old said: “There was a lot of support from the team members and support staff. Not once did I feel that I was new to the side. In fact, I felt like I had been playing with them for a very long time. Everyone made me comfortable which was very special.”
Looking toward the future, T Natarajan said he is keen to play all three formats of the game consistently and will train accordingly.
"I am looking to play in all formats and will maintain my workload accordingly. I am keen to work on my strength and endurance levels in the coming months. This is the first time I've played for six long months at a stretch in my life. Because I trained continuously during those months of lockdown, I was able to take care of the workload in IPL and in Australia."
Natarajan also expressed disappointment on being left out from the upcoming two Test matches against England at his home ground in Chennai.
"Definitely [missing being part of the squad], especially after being with the team for the last few months. But I do understand that it's important to take a break. Given that I did not spend time with the family in the last six months, I am fine with it. But undoubtedly, I will feel bad that I'm not able to be with the national team when they are playing in Chennai."
