TNCA releases T Natarajan from Vijay Hazare Trophy squad to keep him fresh for India duties

T Natarajan, the Indian fast bowler, won’t be available for the upcoming edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy to be played from February 20 to March 14. The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) released the 29-year-old to keep him fresh for India’s upcoming assignments. He will now be going to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore for practising.

Natarajan, after making his debut in the tour of Australia, hasn’t been picked for the Test series against England. After the red-ball fixtures, India will also play five T20Is and three ODIs, starting March 12. The move to release Natarajan has been made to keep the pacer afresh for the ODIs and T20Is.

We have released T Natarajan: TNCA secretary

“That is what we have heard (T Natarajan should be released). We have not got a request in writing, but we understand that the team management wants him to get ready by practising at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.

“The secretary is looking into it. The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) will take the right decision,” Kasi Viswanathan of the TNCA was quoted as saying to Cricbuzz.

“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the team management want him fresh. It is in the national interest. And so we are ready to oblige. We had named a replacement should he be not available, and that issue has been sorted out. We have released Natarajan,” S Ramasamy, the TNCA secretary, said.

Last month, Natarajan became the first Indian bowler to make his debut in all three formats on the same tour. He played the last ODI at the Manuka Oval in Canberra after which he was India’s star performer in the T20I series.

The fact that Jasprit Bumrah missed the last Test at The Gabba in Brisbane made sure that Natarajan makes his Test debut as well. Earlier, Natarajan talked about how emotional he became when Indian skipper Virat Kohli handed him the T20 trophy.

“When Kohli handed over the trophy to me after the T20 series win, I had tears in my eyes,” Natarajan had said. After he returned from the tour of Australia, the fast bowler got a grand reception in his hometown.