'Few are like him, proud and happy for him' - Hemang Badani lauds T Natarajan after pacer's exploits against DC

Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday was a run-fest. Every bowler was taken to the cleaners by the batters. But one bowler who defied the dynamics of the game was SRH’s T Natarajan. He orchestrated a bowling masterclass and was at his miser best. He not only conceded runs at a relatively low rate but picked four wickets in the process.

The 33-year-old gave away just 19 runs bowling his four-over quota. In a game where 465 runs were scored by both teams combined, his prowess with the ball dazzled. Former Indian cricketer and SRH coach Hemang Badani lauded Natarajan’s performance on Friday. He also emphasized the hardships the pacer has faced and overcame setbacks to reach where he is. 

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"And no one speaks of it.. he wouldn’t too.. Few are like him. So proud and happy for him. Only when one speaks to him would they know what he’s gone thru. Not my place to speak about it but all I can say is you are an inspiration," Badani wrote on Twitter.

Here’s Badani’s latest post on ‘X’:

Natarajan’s story is worth remembering

Natarajan grew up in a modest family where his father worked as a daily wage labourer in a saree manufacturing unit, and his mother sold snacks by the roadside. He never lost sight of his dream of becoming a professional cricketer. He faced significant financial hardships and struggled to afford basic educational supplies like notebooks and pencils during his schooling. But the passion for cricket never waned.

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He started his cricketing journey by playing tennis ball cricket and caught the attention of his mentor, Jayaprakash, who recognized his potential. Jayaprakash introduced the right-arm-pacer to competitive cricket and facilitated his entry into the TNCA 4th division in Chennai. In honor of his mentor, Natarajan donned the shirt name ‘JP Nattu’ during the IPL 2020, paying tribute to his mentor in his early career.