T Natarajan, Indian pacer on Thursday described his India debut against Australia as a “surreal experience” and said he was looking forward representing the country again in more such matches in future.
The 29-year-old from Tamil Nadu made a memorable debut and a match to remember for India in the third and final ODI against Australia, snapping two wickets as Virat Kohli and his men notched up a morale-lifting 13-run triumph.
T Natarajan : Surreal Experience To Represent India
T Natarajan was added as an ODI backup after pacer Navdeep Saini complained of back spasms. He picked 2/70 with other pacers like Shardul Thakur too contributing by picking 3/51 and Jasprit Bumrah picking 2/43 as Australia folded up after scoring 289 in reply to India’s 302/5.
For India, Hardik Pandya top-scored with 92 and Ravindra Jadeja scored 66 as the duo stitched together an unbroken 150 runs for the sixth wicket to lift India from 152/5.
“It was a surreal experience to represent the country. Thanks to everyone for your wishes,” Natarajan wrote on his twitter handle. “Looking forward for more challenges.”
https://twitter.com/Natarajan_91/status/1334425406091325440?s=20
T Natarajan had taken two for 70, claiming the wickets of Marnus Labuschagne who opened in David Warner’s absence for 7 and Aston Agar for 28 after India posted 302/5 on board.
T Natarajan Called Up To ODI Setup After Navdeep Saini Complained Of Back Spasms
Initially picked for India’s T20I squad, T Natarajan was called up to the ODI set up as a backup for Navdeep Saini, who had complained of back spasms before the series started and had leaked plenty of runs in the first two ODIs.
Known for his ability to bowl yorkers, T Natarajan played a pivotal role in taking SunRisers Hyderabad to the knockout stages of this year’s IPL in the UAE, taking 16 wickets in 16 games.
On 26 October 2020, T Natarajan was named as one of four additional bowlers to travel with the India cricket team for the Australian tour. On 9 November 2020, he was added to India’s Twenty20 International (T20I) squad, replacing Varun Chakravarthy who was ruled out due to an injury before being added to India’s squad as a cover for Navdeep Saini, who was suffering from a back spasm before first ODI.
T Natarajan made his ODI debut for India against Australia on 2 December 2020, taking his first international wicket, dismissing Marnus Labuschagne.
T Natarajan has picked 64 wickets in 20 first-class games averaging 27.03 and 18 wickets in 16 games averaging 31.27 and also 35 wickets from 38 T20s averaging 27.97.