NEWS
Follow UsT Natarajan, known to be a yorker specialist, created history when he made his international debut across formats on India's tour of Australia. He performed admirably in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), in which he picked up 16 wickets from as many matches at an economy rate of a little over eight. As he prepares for the beginning of the next season, the left-arm pacer reveals how advice from former India captain MS Dhoni helped him improve his craft.
"Speaking to somebody like Dhoni itself is a big thing. He spoke to me about fitness and encouraged me, saying that I will keep getting better with experience. He said, use slow bouncers, cutters, and variations like that. It has been useful for me," Natarajan was quoted as saying by 'ESPNcricinfo'.
Dhoni was dismissed by Natarajan before that. The pacer remembers the wicket fondly. "I pitched one in the slot and he hit me for a big six - 102 metres or something. The next ball I got his wicket (and didn't celebrate) -- I was just thinking about that previous ball.
"After coming back to the dressing room, though, I was happy. After finishing the match, I also had a chat with him."
Other than Dhoni, Natarajan got the big wicket of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) power-hitter AB de Villiers as well. It was doubly special for him as it came on the day he became a father.
"On one side there was my girl and on the other side, I got that wicket in an important knockout game. Romba santhosham (I was extremely happy), but I didn't really tell the others (about the baby).
"I thought I will tell everyone else after we win the game, but my captain (David) Warner spoke about it, I think, at the post-match (presentation)," Natarajan said.
SRH kick start their IPL 2021 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday (April 11)