/betbarter/media/agency_attachments/3YXcMKaocLoKtpo5Mw2o.png)
/betbarter/media/post_banners/ZuwTEOPQiF4tg9PumZVM.jpg)
T-Natarajan
T Natarajan is thrilled to be included in India's Test squad for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The 29-year-old is looking forward to the new set of challenges that will come his way in the game's most extended format.
The southpaw expressed his excitement on Twitter as he posted a photo of himself wearing Team India's Test jersey.
The pacer's journey in international cricket has been nothing short of a folktale. The left-arm bowler made his name in the Tamil Nadu Premier League before sacking an IPL contract in 2017. The Kings XI Punjab first picked him.
At that time, Natarajan could not make a significant impact on the IPL franchise. Later on, the Sunrisers Hyderabad realised his potential and gave him an extended run in IPL 2020. That was the much-needed opportunity Natarajan needed. The 29-year-old picked up 16 wickets for SRH at a decent strike-rate of 23.56. Moreover, he made a reputation as a pacer who bowls his yorkers to perfection.
T Natarajan's brisk rise to the top
The Indian selectors recognised Natarajan's stunning IPL performance, and took him to the Australia tour as a net bowler. However, the management later added the bowler to India's limited-overs squads. He successfully made his international debut in Canberra in the third One Day International match.
He picked up two wickets in his first One Day International. Natarajan showed a lot of faith to the selectors, and he went on to play all three T20Is. He played a crucial role in Team India winning the series 2-1. T Natarajan also claimed six wickets in the T20I series and was difficult for the Australian line-up to score runs off. His bowling was so impressive, Hardik Pandya gave his man of the match award to the left-arm pacer.
However, there was much more in store for T Natarajan. Recently fast bowler Umesh Yadav had to pull out after suffering from calf muscle during Australia's second innings. He is ruled out of the remaining of the series. That made the Indian selectors add T Natarajan to India's Test squad as well. Being the only left-arm pacer, he can bring variety to the bowling attack. It will be exciting to see whether the Indian team management hands the debut cap to the 29-year-old in the remaining Sydney Test.