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Thangarasu Natarajan has become one of India's most exciting fast bowlers, captivating fans both nationally and internationally with his left-arm seam bowling. Born in Chinnappampatti, Tamil Nadu, on 4 April 1991, he has made a name for himself through his hard work and determination. Natarajan's journey from humble beginnings to being an international cricketer is inspiring. He started playing cricket with tennis balls in his early days and was quickly recognized for his talent. In the following sections, we will examine his life story, career achievements, playing style, and current state as a cricketer.
Natarajan had a modest upbringing in Salem town in Tamil Nadu where his father worked as a weaver and his mother ran a fast-food stall. Growing up, he was passionate about cricket and played with tennis balls since leather balls were expensive for him to afford. His performance caught the attention of coaches who saw immense potential in him.
Despite facing financial challenges while growing up, Natarajan continued to work hard towards achieving his dream of becoming an international cricketer. Despite initial rejections during trials due to lack of funds to travel for matches outside Salem town or poor infrastructure at home, he persevered tirelessly.
After impressing local coaches with his left-arm pace bowling skills at domestic tournaments like the TNPL (Tamil Nadu Premier League), Natarajan made headlines after being bought by Kings XI Punjab for ₹3 crore at the 2017 Indian Premier League auction.
After making six appearances for KXIP where he took two wickets, Sunrisers Hyderabad got him on board for ₹40 lakhs in the following year's IPL auctions. Although he was initially benched, the team management included him in their playing eleven. He finished as their highest wicket-taker in IPL 2020, with 16 wickets in as many games.
The left-arm pacer continued to impress and earned his debut for India in December 2020 against Australia. He became the first Indian cricketer to debut across all three formats on the same tour during India's 2020-21 tour of Australia, making his ODI debut on 2 December 2020 and T20I debut two days later, where he took three wickets.
Natarajan's rise in cricket has been nothing short of phenomenal. In his brief international career so far, he has contributed significantly to team India's success. Although Test cricket is considered the pinnacle of the sport, Natarajan has only played one Test match so far against Australia but made an immediate impact by taking three crucial wickets.
However, it is limited-overs cricket where Natarajan has gained considerable success, having played six ODIs and ten T20Is for India so far. In white-ball cricket, he is known for his accuracy with the ball and ability to bowl yorkers at will which makes him a vital cog in India's bowling lineup.
In his short international career so far, Natarajan has already achieved remarkable feats by becoming the first Indian to take two or more wickets on both ODI and T20I debuts while also being part of India's squad that reached the finals of the ICC World Test Championship in June 2021.
Apart from international cricket, Natarajan has been highly successful in domestic cricket where he represents Tamil Nadu. He made his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu during the 2014-15 Ranji Trophy season and since then has taken over hundred wickets at an average of 24.54.
Natarajan's most significant impact, however, has been in the IPL where he plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad. In the 2020 season, he was one of their standout performers, taking 16 wickets from as many games at an impressive economy rate of 8.02. Natarajan followed that up with another successful season in 2021, finishing as SRH's second-highest wicket-taker.
Thangarasu Natarajan's major tournament and series involvements include his participation in the IPL and representing India in international cricket. He played for Kings XI Punjab in the 2017 IPL season and then moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he became a key member of their bowling attack. Natarajan's accurate yorkers and ability to bowl in the death overs earned him praise from fans and experts alike.
In international cricket, Natarajan made his debut against Australia in the 2020-21 season. He played in the T20I, ODI, and Test series, showcasing his skills and making valuable contributions to the Indian team. Although his international career is still in its early stages, Natarajan has the potential to establish himself as a reliable bowler across all formats.
Thangarasu Natarajan is a left-arm fast bowler with excellent control over his line and length. He bowls with pace, accuracy, and variations in deliveries. His bowling action is unique, which makes it challenging for batsmen to pick up his deliveries.
Natarajan's primary role in the team is as a bowler, particularly during the death overs of an inning. He has shown tremendous skills at restricting runs and taking crucial wickets at crucial times. His impressive performances in domestic cricket earned him an IPL contract.
Besides his bowling skills, Natarajan is also known for his athletic fielding ability. He is quick to respond to the ball and has a strong throwing arm that can catch opponents off guard during run-outs.
Thangarasu Natarajan's journey from humble beginnings to becoming an international cricketer is inspiring. Despite coming from a family with limited resources, he was determined to follow his passion for cricket and worked hard towards achieving his dream.
Natarajan comes across as a soft-spoken individual who lets his actions speak louder than words on the field. He has shown great sportsmanship on numerous occasions and treats every opponent with respect.
Natarajan enjoys spending time with his family when he isn't playing cricket or training. His daughter Hanvika is dear to him, and he loves spending time with her whenever possible.
Despite being relatively new to International cricket, Natarajan has already become a popular figure among Indian cricket fans due to his impressive performances on the field in recent years.
As far as brand endorsements are concerned, there hasn't been much news about Natarajan's sponsorships yet. However, given his growing popularity both nationally and internationally, it wouldn't be surprising if we see more brands show interest in associating themselves with this talented young cricketer.
Thangarasu Natarajan's journey from a humble background to becoming an international cricketer is inspiring, a testament to his hard work and determination. He has had an impact on the game with his unique left-arm pace bowling and ability to bowl accurate yorkers at crucial times. Natarajan has been compared to Mustafizur Rahman, another left-arm pacer from Bangladesh.
His performances in domestic cricket and the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) earned him an IPL contract, where he caught the attention of Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in 2017. After impressing in his debut season, Sunrisers Hyderabad bought him for the 2018 season but did not give him many opportunities.
Natarajan made history by becoming the first Indian cricketer to debut across all three formats on the same tour during India's 2020-21 tour of Australia. His impressive performances in the limited-overs series against Australia led to his Test debut, where he took three wickets.
As a young player who is just starting out in international cricket, Natarajan's legacy is still being written. However, he has already inspired many young cricketers with similar backgrounds and shown them that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.
Thangarasu Natarajan has been recognized for his performances in domestic cricket and earned IPL contracts. In the 2022 IPL season, he finished as Sunrisers Hyderabad's second-highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets.
While he has not yet received any major awards or accolades, Natarajan's impact on Indian cricket cannot be overlooked. He made history by becoming the first Indian cricketer to debut across all three formats on the same tour during India's 2020-21 tour of Australia.
Natarajan has also been offered honorary positions in major cricket organisations. He was appointed as the brand ambassador for Salem District Cricket Association (SDCA) in his hometown of Salem. The SDCA aims to promote cricket at the grassroots level and nurture young talent from the district.
As a promising young player, Natarajan is sure to receive more recognition and awards in the future, with his potential yet to be fully realised.
Thangarasu Natarajan's journey from a weaver's son to an international cricketer is a story that has captured the hearts of many cricket fans. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks along the way, he never gave up on his dreams and continued to work hard towards achieving them.
His unique left-arm pace bowling and ability to bowl accurate yorkers at crucial times have made him stand out among Indian fast bowlers. Natarajan's performances in domestic cricket and the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) earned him an IPL contract where he caught the attention of Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in 2017. After impressing in his debut season, Sunrisers Hyderabad bought him for the 2018 season but did not give him many opportunities.
Natarajan made history by becoming the first Indian cricketer to debut across all three formats on the same tour during India's 2020-21 tour of Australia. His impressive performances in limited-overs cricket led to his Test debut, where he took three wickets. As a young player who is just starting out in international cricket, Natarajan's legacy is still being written.
In conclusion, Thangarasu Natarajan has already made a significant impact on Indian cricket, and his potential for the future is limitless. With his unique left-arm pace bowling style and inspiring journey from humble beginnings to international cricket, he is sure to be a fan favourite for years to come.
FAQs
What has been Thangarasu Natarajan's best performance in international cricket?
Thangarasu Natarajan's best performance in international cricket came during India's T20I series against Australia in 2020-21 when he took three wickets on his debut match.
How old is Thangarasu Natarajan?
Thangarasu Natarajan was born on 4 April 1991, making him 30 years old.
Has Thangarasu Natarajan scored a century in any format of cricket?
No, Thangarasu Natarajan has not yet scored a century in any format of cricket.
Which IPL team does Thankgarasu Natarajan represent?
Thankgarasu Natarajan represents Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
When did Thankgarasu Natarajan make his international debut?
Thankgarasu Natarajan made his international debut across all three formats during India's tour of Australia in December 2020-January 2021.
