3 Surprising exclusions from India's main Test squad for England series

2. T Natarajan

India’s tour of Australia will be forever remembered because of the team’s character and determination. Another factor that helped team India to clinch the Test series is Natarajan’s efforts. The left-arm fast bowler provided crucial support to the frontline pacers and helped the bowlers to build and maintain the pressure from one end. However, given the fact that Natarajan has been excluded from the Test squad does raise some eyebrows!

Natarajan belongs to the group of players who have made their way into the IPL via the TNPL. His stellar performances in the IPL enabled him to join the national squad. Later on, as India were thrashed in the first two ODIs, his yorker skills were utilized by the squad. In the T20I series, he played in three matches, and with an economy rate of 6.92, he impressed every expert panel present in the circuit. 

But, his exclusion in the Test squad for the home series against England is surprising. As he was very effective in the only Test he played. He took three wickets with an economy rate of 3.1. Apart from that, he can bowl a variety of lengths. However, this exclusion might not hurt his future as he looks like the next big thing in Indian cricket.