India | Bowler
T. Natarajan is an Indian international cricketer. He made his debut for the India cricket team in December 2020. Currently he plays for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League and for Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket.
| Full Name Thangarasu Natarajan | Born April 04, 1991, Salem | Age 34y 33d |
| Batting Style Left hand Bat | Bowling Style Left arm Medium | Playing Role Bowler |
T. Natarajan Teams
T. Natarajan: The Tenacious Left-Arm Pacer
Thangarasu Natarajan, born on April 4, 1991 , in Chinnappampatti, Salem, Tamil Nadu , is an Indian cricketer renowned for his left-arm medium-fast bowling and gritty performances. Hailing from a modest background—his father worked as a weaver, and his mother ran a small household—he rose through sheer determination to become a key figure in Indian cricket .
Early Career
T. Natarajan started playing cricket in local tournaments in Tamil Nadu.His raw pace and variations impressed local scouts early on. He made his first-class debut in the 2014–15 Ranji Trophy.Soon after, his bowling action was reported as suspect. This led to a temporary setback in his career. He returned to competitive cricket in August 2016. It was his second first-class match after a 21-month gap. In 2016, he played in the Tamil Nadu Premier League. His yorkers and slower deliveries stood out under pressure.
His TNPL performance earned him recognition and praise. He secured an IPL 2017 auction spot due to his form. The IPL opportunity marked a major turning point in his career.
Domestic Career
Natarajan’s domestic career highlights his adaptability across formats. After joining Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2018 , he transformed into a death-over specialist , mastering flat Indian pitches under coaches like Tom Moody and captains like David Warner . In List A cricket , he claimed 21 wickets in the 2018–19 Vijay Hazare Trophy , showcasing his ODI prowess . His T20 dominance shone in the 2021 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy , where he was the joint-highest wicket-taker , cementing his reputation as a high-pressure performer . Though his Ranji Trophy journey was interrupted by his suspect action in 2014–15, he rebounded to become a consistent performer for Tamil Nadu . By 2024 , his most successful IPL season, he had solidified his legacy as a reliable death bowler in Indian conditions.
This blend of perseverance and skill underscores Natarajan’s rise from a small-town cricketer to a domestic stalwart.
T. Natarajan International Career: A Historic Debut
Natarajan earned his international breakthrough during India’s 2020–21 tour of Australia.An injury opened the door for him to join the squad.He made history by debuting in all three formats on that single tour.He played his first-ever Test match, though his role remained limited.In white-ball cricket, he quickly made a strong impact.His left-arm angle and clever variations troubled opposing batters.He especially excelled in T20Is, showcasing his death-over skills.
However, his international career has been sporadic due to competition from Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Mohammed Shami. As of 2024 , he has featured in 10 ODIs and 15 T20Is , with his last international appearance in 2023 .
IPL Legacy: SRH’s Death-Over General
Natarajan’s IPL career is defined by his consistency and tactical intelligence . After joining SRH in 2018, he evolved into a match-winner , often delivering under pressure. His 2024 season was his most successful, with 16 wickets at an economy rate of 8.2 , including a memorable 4/26 against Rajasthan Royals . His ability to execute yorkers in crunch moments and vary pace made him indispensable for SRH, even as the team fluctuated in performance .
In 2025 , he joined Delhi Capitals after being retained in the mega-auction, signaling his value as a seasoned campaigner in high-pressure games .
Strengths: The Left-Arm Menace
Natarajan’s left-arm angle gives him an edge, troubling right-handed batters with angles into the stumps. His repertoire includes sharp slower balls, cutters, and pinpoint yorkers , making him lethal in the death overs. On flat Indian pitches, his ability to generate late swing and maintain line sets him apart. Additionally, his left-handed batting adds depth to the lower order, occasionally chipping in with quick runs .
Legacy: A Symbol of Perseverance
Natarajan’s story is one of resilience and grit . Rising from a rural village with limited resources, he defied odds to represent India on the global stage. His journey inspires countless aspirants from small towns, proving that talent and hard work can break barriers. Though injuries and competition have limited his international exposure, his IPL legacy and domestic consistency ensure his place in cricketing folklore.
T. Natarajan Career Stats
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 1 | 2 | 230 | 119 | 3 | 3/78 | 3/119 | 39.66 | 3.10 | 76.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 2 | 2 | 120 | 143 | 3 | 2/70 | 2/70 | 47.66 | 7.15 | 40.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 4 | 4 | 96 | 122 | 7 | 3/30 | 3/30 | 17.42 | 7.62 | 13.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 21 | 35 | 3658 | 1849 | 67 | 5/41 | 8/84 | 27.59 | 3.03 | 54.5 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| List A | 25 | 25 | 1155 | 968 | 32 | 4/38 | 4/38 | 30.25 | 5.02 | 36.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s | 96 | 95 | 2042 | 2876 | 104 | 4/19 | 4/19 | 27.65 | 8.45 | 19.6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1* | – | 9 | 11.11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0* | – | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 21 | 23 | 9 | 29 | 12 | 2.07 | 163 | 17.79 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| List A | 25 | 8 | 6 | 15 | 7* | 7.50 | 30 | 50.00 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| T20s | 96 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 3* | 8.00 | 15 | 53.33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 |
T. Natarajan T20 Stats
Bowling
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 3 teams | 62 | 61 | 1337 | 1969 | 67 | 4/19 | 4/19 | 29.38 | 8.83 | 19.9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 3 teams | 62 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3* | – | 5 | 60.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
T. Natarajan Debut/Last Matches
T. Natarajan Test Matches
Only
Australia vs India at Brisbane – January 15 – 19, 2021
ODI Matches
Debut
Australia vs India at Canberra – December 02, 2020
Last
India vs England at Pune – March 28, 2021
T20I Matches
Debut
Australia vs India at Canberra – December 04, 2020
Last
India vs England at Ahmedabad – March 20, 2021
FC Matches
Debut
Tamil Nadu vs Bengal at Eden Gardens – January 05 – 08, 2015
Last
Australia vs India at Brisbane – January 15 – 19, 2021
List A Matches
Debut
Tamil Nadu vs Gujarat at Chennai – September 20, 2018
Last
Haryana vs Tamil Nadu at Rajkot – December 13, 2023
T20 Matches
Debut
Karnataka vs Tamil Nadu at Chennai – January 29, 2017
Last
DC vs SRH at Hyderabad – May 05, 2025
2025 IPL TEAM
Delhi Capitals Sunrisers Hyderabad Rajasthan Royals Chennai Super kings Gujrat Titans Kolkata knight Riders Lucknow Super Giants Mumbai Indians Punjab Kings Royal Challengers Bengaluru