General Information
Thangarasu Natarajan was born on May 27, 1991, in Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. He is a left-arm medium-fast bowler known for his exceptional skills in bowling yorkers, particularly in the death overs. Natarajan has made significant contributions to the Indian national cricket team in limited-overs formats (ODIs and T20Is) and has been a key player in the Indian Premier League (IPL), playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. His journey from playing cricket in a small village in Tamil Nadu to representing India on the international stage is an inspirational story of determination and hard work.
Biography
Natarajan’s cricket journey is marked by his humble beginnings, growing up in a small village where opportunities were limited. He initially played tennis ball cricket before transitioning to professional cricket. His talent was evident in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), where his ability to bowl pinpoint yorkers caught the attention of scouts and teams at the national level.
His performances in domestic cricket and the TNPL led to his selection in the IPL, where he played for Kings XI Punjab before moving to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Natarajan’s breakthrough came in the 2020 IPL season, where his exceptional death bowling garnered widespread acclaim, earning him a call-up to the Indian national team.
Natarajan made his international debut for India in all three formats during the tour of Australia in 2020-2021, becoming the first Indian cricketer to debut in all three formats on the same tour. His performances, especially in T20Is and ODIs, showcased his ability to handle pressure and bowl effectively in the death overs.
Sporting Achievements
- International Cricket: Natarajan’s impact was immediate on the international scene, where he showcased his skills in limited-overs formats. His ability to bowl yorkers at will has made him a valuable asset for the Indian cricket team.
- Indian Premier League (IPL): In the IPL, Natarajan has been recognized for his death bowling capabilities, earning the nickname “Yorker Natarajan.” His performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad have been crucial in tight situations, making him one of the premier death bowlers in the tournament.
- Domestic Cricket: Before making a mark in the IPL and the Indian national team, Natarajan was a key player in Tamil Nadu’s domestic cricket scene, contributing significantly in various competitions, including the TNPL, where he first rose to prominence.
T Natarajan’s journey from playing with a tennis ball to becoming an integral part of the Indian cricket team and the IPL is a testament to his perseverance, skill, and dedication to the sport. His story continues to inspire many young cricketers across India and the world.
Player Stats
Bowling
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
| Tests | 1 | 2 | 230 | 119 | 3 | 3/78 | 3/119 | 39.66 | 3.10 | 76.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 2 | 2 | 120 | 143 | 3 | 2/70 | 2/70 | 47.66 | 7.15 | 40.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 4 | 4 | 96 | 122 | 7 | 3/30 | 3/30 | 17.42 | 7.62 | 13.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 21 | 35 | 3658 | 1849 | 67 | 5/41 | 8/84 | 27.59 | 03.03 | 54.5 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| List A | 25 | 25 | 1155 | 968 | 32 | 4/38 | 4/38 | 30.25 | 05.02 | 36.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s | 81 | 81 | 1734 | 2411 | 85 | 3/4 | 3/4 | 28.36 | 8.34 | 20.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
| Tests | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1* | – | 9 | 11.11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0* | – | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 21 | 23 | 9 | 29 | 12 | 02.07 | 163 | 17.79 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| List A | 25 | 8 | 6 | 15 | 7* | 7.50 | 30 | 50.00 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| T20s | 81 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 3* | 8.00 | 15 | 53.33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0 |