T Natarajan not far away from India comeback: SRH bowling coach James Franklin

06/05/2024

Left-arm pacer T Natarajan might have missed out on India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad, but he will keep the selectors interested if he continues performing the way he has been in IPL 2024, according to SunRisers’ bowling coach James Franklin. The former New Zealand fast bowler heaped praise on Natarajan’s ability to nail yorkers, saying it’s a huge strength for the former champions.

T Natarajan’s name was discussed before the BCCI announced a 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup on April 30, but the Tamil Nadu fast bowler failed to get a recall. India went in with a 3-man pace attack â including Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee also announced left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan as part of their 4-man reserves for the World Cup, starting June 2.

“There are just so many quality players in India. He can only control what he can. His great strength is obviously his yorker bowling. That is where he is a huge asset for us as a team,” Franklin said on the eve of SRH’s crunch game against MI at the Wankhede Stadium.

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“If he keeps going the way he is going and can hold his form throughout the rest of this IPL, those sorts of conversations around India, they tend to take care of themselves. If he keeps performing, then getting back in that Indian side won’t be too far away from it,” Franklin added.

T Natarajan had been struggling with injury concerns that have dampened his chances of a prolonged run for India. The left-arm pacer who made his debut across all 3 formats in India’s tour of Australia in 2020-21.Â

Natarajan last played for India in a home series against England in March 2021. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri said last year that they had Natarajan in their T20 World Cup 2021 plans and that they missed his services in the death overs during the tournament.

Natarajan has been close to his best in IPL 2024 as the Tamil Nadu pacer has been injury-free so far in the tournament. In 8 matches, Natarajan has picked 15 wickets and is in the race for the Purple Cap this season. Natarajan has been miserly at the death, using his yorkers and variations to good effect.

SunRisers will be hoping their bowling unit, led by Pat Cummins and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, fires once again as they take on MI at the Wankhede Stadium in a crunch game. SRH, who are at the 4th spot in the IPL 2024 table, will strengthen their position in the top 4 if they come up triumphant in Mumbai on Monday. SRH are high on confidence after having stunned table-toppers RR by a run in their previous fixture.

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