T Natarajan strikes on debut with wickets of Matthew Wade and Marnus Labuschagne to put India back in Brisbane Test

January 15, 2021, will always be remembered as the day when debutants shone for India in Test cricket. After Washington Sundar took his maiden Test wicket as Steve Smith, T Natarajan also joined in the fun. The left-arm pacer, who became the 300th player for India in Test cricket, got his debut wicket as he broke a solid partnership and gave India a slight opening on a tough opening day at the Gabba on Friday. T Natarajan, who was getting some swing and movement off the Brisbane deck, was troubling Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Wade on a consistent basis. However, Labuschagne notched up his fifth century and Matthew Wade was nearing a fifty as the partnership crossed 100. That was when T Natarajan struck.

T Natarajan bowled a short ball that climbed up on Matthew Wade around the off stump. The batsman looked to pull but was cramped for room and he ended up being in an ungainly position as he top-edged the shot. The ball flew to mid-on where Shardul Thakur took the catch and India finally had gotten the breakthrough that they wanted. His day became even better as he got the better of Marnus Labuschagne for 108 as he top-edged a shot to square leg where Rishabh Pant took the catch. Thus, it was a very good day for both Tamil Nadu debutants.

Making rapid progress

T Natarajan was handed his ODI cap by Virat Kohli ahead of the third and final match against Australia in Canberra. The moment was reward for T Natarajan, who began his journey by showing his ability in the Tamil Nadu Premier League. His magnificent run got him an IPL contract for Kings XI Punjab but he did not utilise his skills well for the franchise. However, his acquisition by Sunrisers Hyderabad changed his fortunes and made him one of the bowlers to watch out for in the near future. 

Natarajan is considered a legend in Tamil Nadu Tennis ball cricket because he can also be influential. In an Indian Express story, it was revealed that how Natarajan influenced many people to not give up the sport and giving them the assurance that there was a future. He made youngsters in his area realise that the first step to recognition is the Tamil Nadu Premier League and if they achieve greater success in that, then the IPL will beckon. He did not have any big facilities in Chinnappampatti, but he honed his skills through sheer hard work and patience. His mother was a daily-wage laborer and it was through these times of struggles that he made his breakthrough in the TNPL, first with Dindigul Dragons and then with Lyca Kovai Kings.

In his first season with Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2017, he came into the limelight after having bowled six yorkers to Abhinav Mukund and Washington Sundar in a TNPL clash. T Natarajan caught the eye of Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling mentor Muttiah Muralitharan and he came to the side in IPL 2018 for Rs 40 lakh. He did not feature in the first two seasons but in 2020, he capitalized on the opportunities. Natarajan was the designated death bowler for Tamil Nadu in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and in 11 games, he picked up 13 wickets at an economy rate of 5.84 and an average of 16. Tamil Nadu lost the final to Karnataka by one run and Natarajan was wicketless in that.

After starring in IPL 2020, T Natarajan's performance in the Twenty20 Internationals won him universal praise, with Virat Kohli calling him an 'asset'. Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli both gave him trophies after the end of the T20I series against Australia, highlighting his increased worth in the Indian cricket team.