Natarajan death over specialist, we missed him in T20 World Cup: Ravi Shastri | Cricket News – Times of India
MUMBAI: Former coach Ravi Shastri has hailed T Natarajan as a death bowling specialist, saying the Indian team missed the left-arm pacer sorely during its T20 World Cup debacle in UAE.
Natarajan, who came to limelight in India’s historic Test series win Down Under in early 2021, suffered a knee injury and missed most part of the year before making a comeback in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s second match of the IPL 15 here on Monday.
“Very happy for him. We missed him in the World Cup. He would’ve been a certainty had he been fit,” Shastri said in ESPNCricinfo’s ‘T20 Time:Out’.
India had made a heart-breaking group stage exit in the T20 World Cup in 2021.
“He got injured against England when we were playing the ODI series and we really missed him (in the World Cup).
“He’s that specialist death bowler, bowls those yorkers very skilfully. He’s got great control. He is skiddy. A bit quicker than you think and hits the bat,” Shastri said.
The 31-year-old, who was bought back by SRH for Rs 4 crore, made a fine comeback after 12 months, picking 2 for 26 from his full quota of four overs, even as they suffered their second defeat on the trot with a 12-run loss.
Shastri was the head coach when the left-arm pacer made his debut for India across the three formats in their memorable 2020-21 tour to Australia.
The former coach said Natarajan was a lucky charm for them.
“Every game I’ve picked him we’ve won. In his debut in T20, India won. In his debut in Test cricket, India won. From a net bowler, he played those other two formats,” Shastri said.
SRH will next face defending champions Chennai Super Kings on April 9.
Natarajan, who came to limelight in India’s historic Test series win Down Under in early 2021, suffered a knee injury and missed most part of the year before making a comeback in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s second match of the IPL 15 here on Monday.
“Very happy for him. We missed him in the World Cup. He would’ve been a certainty had he been fit,” Shastri said in ESPNCricinfo’s ‘T20 Time:Out’.
India had made a heart-breaking group stage exit in the T20 World Cup in 2021.
“He got injured against England when we were playing the ODI series and we really missed him (in the World Cup).
“He’s that specialist death bowler, bowls those yorkers very skilfully. He’s got great control. He is skiddy. A bit quicker than you think and hits the bat,” Shastri said.
The 31-year-old, who was bought back by SRH for Rs 4 crore, made a fine comeback after 12 months, picking 2 for 26 from his full quota of four overs, even as they suffered their second defeat on the trot with a 12-run loss.
Shastri was the head coach when the left-arm pacer made his debut for India across the three formats in their memorable 2020-21 tour to Australia.
The former coach said Natarajan was a lucky charm for them.
“Every game I’ve picked him we’ve won. In his debut in T20, India won. In his debut in Test cricket, India won. From a net bowler, he played those other two formats,” Shastri said.
SRH will next face defending champions Chennai Super Kings on April 9.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
Denial of responsibility! NewsBit.us is an automatic aggregator around the global media. All the content are available free on Internet. We have just arranged it in one platform for educational purpose only. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – [email protected]. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.
