Cricket has always been more than just a game in India. The sport has been enjoyed by one and all irrespective of their age and demographic. It is the one thing that truly unites us all. Cricket has also given a platform for the rising talents to perform and make a name for themselves.
So is the story of a 29-year old T Natarajan from Tamil Nadu who has been in the news for his success in the IPL and now has his dream of ODI debut against Australia come true.
🧢 ODI debut in the last game
🧢 T20I debut todayTake a bow, T Natarajan 👏
Never give up! Dreams do come true 😀 pic.twitter.com/eWTZLA12eS
— ICC (@ICC) December 4, 2020
Natarajan Humble Beginnings
He did not have any big facilities in Chinnappampatti, but he honed his skills through sheer hard work and patience. His mother was a daily-wage laborer and it was through these times of struggles that he made his breakthrough in the TNPL, first with Dindigul Dragons and then with Lyca Kovai Kings.
From becoming a tennis ball legend in Chinnappampatti to acquiring a reputation as a yorker master in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, Natrajan has only moved upwards.
Cricketer Natarajan's debut tells us that people with talent always get a place in the Indian team. His story from Chinnappampatti to here will surely inspire many other youngsters. May he have more success in his journey! @Natarajan_91 #INDvAUS #TNatarajan #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/xY7rHeKhoo
— Dr C Vijayabaskar – Say No To Drugs & DMK (@Vijayabaskarofl) December 2, 2020
In an Indian Express story, it was revealed that how Natarajan influenced many people to not give up the sport and giving them the assurance that there was a future. He made youngsters in his area realize that the first step to recognition is the Tamil Nadu Premier League and if they achieve greater success in that, then the IPL will beckon.
In his first season with Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2017, he came into the limelight after having bowled six yorkers to Abhinav Mukund and Washington Sundar in a TNPL clash.
The Ladder Of Success
In the IPL 2020, T Natarajan performed exceptionally and took many important wickets which gained him appreciation from many legends like Kapil Dev. His chart read 16 wickets in 16 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
T Natarajan
2016: Conceded 5 runs in super over v Abhinav Mukund & Washington Sundar in TNPL
2017: IPL debut for KXIP
2020: Impressive for SRH. Picked big wickets of MSD, Kohli, ABD, Russell in IPL. Makes ODI & T20 debut for India
Never stop dreamingpic.twitter.com/1lxBo4p62X
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) December 4, 2020
His performance in IPL is what made him the selectors special when they were closely searching for the right name for the upcoming tour of Australia. Natarajan was named as the replacement for Varun Chakravarthy in the T20Is.
The team moved on to the T20Is, two of which they won back-to-back, to seal the series. Natarajan took 3 and 2 wickets in those matches, respectively.
Also Read: 5 Bollywood Celeb Funded Startups That Are Super Successful
Natarajan has been rightfully declared as ‘the find of the series’ and this just proves that hard work finally pays off.
