Fit-again Natarajan back in action, gears up for IPL

CHENNAI: Pacer T Natarajan is back in action after a gap of eight months. Natarajan, who hogged limelight after he was bought for a whopping Rs 3 crore by Kings XI Punjab in the last IPL, featured in his first competitive match post an elbow surgery last November.
Despite missing the entire domestic season, the wiry left-arm pacer, who represented Jolly Rovers in the TNCA first division league on Tuesday, was backed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 40 lakh during the IPL auctions.
Natarajan, who sent down 10 overs against CromBest RC, was delighted at the fact that he was able to make a comeback right before the IPL. “It felt great to bowl again after a long time. I didn’t want to rush my return and aggravate the injury. I’m mentally relaxed now that I have comeback fully fit. I thank TNCA and Chemplast for supporting me during those tough times. I’m confident now and looking forward to the IPL,” the 26-year-old pacer told TOI on Tuesday.
Having bowled those 10 overs in two spells (four and six overs), Natarajan said he looked in perfect rhythm. “For a while, I felt a bit odd as I hadn’t bowled in a match for long. However, I got into the groove and felt the ball was coming out of my hand nicely. For the past two weeks, I have been bowling regularly at the nets and that helped get my rhythm going. Playing three-day cricket will keep me match fit and it’s important to get into any tournament with match-practice under your belt,” he added.
Natarajan, who impressed with his ability to bowl yorkers in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, is set to join the Sunrisers camp this month end and has already begun preparations trying out certain slow variations to baffle batsmen.
The Salem-based cricketer had earlier said that he was relieved after being picked by an IPL franchisee as he had hardly played any cricket. “I was out of action for close to six months with injury. I didn’t play in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s as well. I hadn’t played any cricket this season. I was happy and relieved when SRH picked me. I wasn’t expecting anything from this IPL auction. I just wanted to be a part of the side and get an opportunity to play in IPL,” he had said.