We missed T Natarajan in the T20 World Cup, he would've been a certainty had he been fit: Ravi Shastri

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has praised pacer T Natarajan as a death bowling specialist. Shastri also emphasized the fact that the Indian team missed the left-arm pacer sorely during the T20 World Cup in the UAE.

The left-arm pacer, who grabbed the limelight in India’s historic Test series win in Australia in 2021, suffered a knee injury and remained unavailable for about a year before making a comeback in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

To note, the Orange Army purchased the 31-year old for INR 4 crore in IPL 2022 mega auction. Natarajan made a fine comeback after getting hammered in the first match against Rajasthan Royals, picking two for 26 from his full quota against Lucknow Super Giants. However, SRH suffered their second defeat on the trot with a 12-run loss.

He’s the specialist death bowler: Ravi Shastri on T Natarajan

It is to be noted that India had made a heartbreaking group-stage exit in the T20 World Cup in 2021. The Men in Blue also lost the match against their arch-rivals Pakistan.

“Very happy for him. We missed him in the World Cup. He would’ve been a certainty had he been fit,” Shastri told ESPNcricinfo.

“He got injured against England when we were playing the ODI series and we really missed him (in the World Cup). He’s that specialist death bowler, bowls those yorkers very skilfully. He’s got great control. He is skiddy. A bit quicker than you think and hits the bat,” Shastri added.

Talking about Natarajan’s numbers in the IPL, the left-arm pacer has played a total of 26 matches in which he has scalped 24 wickets, bowling at an average of 31.54. However, he has been a touch expensive as he bowls during the slog overs. Natarajan has an economy rate of 8.27.

SRH will face the defending champions Chennai Super Kings next on April 9. The match will be played at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai.