New Delhi: Cricket has often been a vehicle of dreams in India, but few stories are as dramatic—and bittersweet—as that of left-arm fast bowler T. Natarajan. His journey reads like a film script: a meteoric rise from poverty to international fame, followed by a sudden fade into obscurity despite immense talent and success.
As the IPL 2026 mini auction takes place in Abu Dhabi on December 16, Natarajan’s story serves as a reminder of how unforgiving professional sport can be.
Humble Beginnings
Born in a small village in Tamil Nadu, Natarajan’s early life was marked by hardship. His father worked as a daily wage labourer, while his mother sold fish by the roadside to support the family. Even arranging two meals a day was often a challenge.
Natarajan’s introduction to cricket came not through academies or stadiums, but via tennis-ball matches in local tournaments. It was here that his biggest weapon emerged—his ability to bowl deadly, accurate yorkers consistently. For a left-arm pacer, this skill proved invaluable and quickly caught the attention of talent scouts.
Rise Through the IPL
His performances earned him a place in the IPL, where he represented Kings XI Punjab and later Sunrisers Hyderabad. By the 2020 season, Natarajan had established himself as a reliable death-overs specialist, earning praise across the cricketing fraternity.
A Fortunate Turn with Team India
Natarajan’s defining moment came during the 2020–21 Australia tour, when he was picked as a standby bowler for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy under captain Virat Kohli. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary.
Due to a series of injuries and COVID-related absences in the Indian camp, Natarajan went on to make his debut in all three formats—T20I, ODI, and Test—on the same tour, an extremely rare achievement.
- ODI debut: Played the third and final match, taking two wickets and helping India avoid a clean sweep.
- T20I debut: Seized his chance after Varun Chakravarthy’s injury, claiming three wickets in his first match and two more in the next, playing a key role in India’s series win.
- Test debut: After injuries to Umesh Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, Natarajan was handed his Test cap in the historic fourth Test at the Gabba. He dismissed key batters, including centurion Marnus Labuschagne, as India registered one of the greatest Test victories in its history to win the series 2–1.
Across formats, Natarajan played 1 Test (3 wickets), 2 ODIs (3 wickets), and 4 T20Is (7 wickets)—all memorable contributions.
Injuries and a Sudden Decline
Just as his career seemed poised for greater heights, persistent injuries derailed his progress. Regular fitness setbacks prevented him from cementing a permanent place in the Indian team, and opportunities gradually dried up.
₹10.75 Crore Deal, But No Real Opportunity
In a surprising move, Delhi Capitals picked Natarajan for a massive ₹10.75 crore at the IPL 2024 mini auction, reflecting the franchise’s belief in his ability. However, the season turned out to be deeply frustrating—he bowled only seven deliveries across the entire tournament.
Since then, the 34-year-old pacer has slipped into relative obscurity, despite having taken 18 wickets in IPL 2022 and 10 wickets in IPL 2023.
Still Waiting for One Last Chance
From a childhood spent watching his mother sell fish on the streets to becoming Virat Kohli’s “lucky mascot” on a historic overseas tour, T. Natarajan’s journey is both inspiring and tragic. Even today, he waits for one more opportunity to prove that his yorkers—and his story—are not yet finished.
In cricket, as in life, talent opens doors—but timing, fitness, and fortune decide how long they remain open.
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