Indian cricket team sensational fast-bowler T Natarajan has impressed everyone on his first international tour for his national team after making a name for himself in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Natarajan has created a lot of buzz by taking 8 wickets in his first four international matches. Now after his great bowling performance in the T20 series, captain Virat Kohli has said that not only will Natarajan be proud of himself, but every cricket fan will also be filled with joy seeing his performance.
Ind vs Aus: T Natarajan impresses everyone with his remarkable bowling against Australia
The 29-year-old bowled brilliantly in the IPL 2020 and impressed everyone with his "on-spot lethal yorkers". He was then picked for India's tour to Australia. Here, Natarajan made his debut in international cricket from the third ODI in Canberra and took 2 wickets in the first match. At the same time, he not only bowled economically in the T20 series, but also took the highest 6 wickets in both teams.
After winning the T20I series 2-1 against Australia, India captain Virat Kohli said that Natarajan can prove to be important for the team in view of the next year's T20 World Cup. Impressed with the performance of Natarajan in the first international series, Captain Kohli said after the match that Natarajan provides variety with his left-arm pace bowling, something India have been lacking.
Ind vs Aus: T Natarajan shines in absence of Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah
"Special mention to Natarajan -- because in the absence of Shami and Bumrah he has been the guy who has stood up and really delivered under pressure. Outstanding for the fact that he is playing the first few games at the international level, looks very composed, he is very sure of what he wants to do," said Kohli while speaking to reporters after the third T20I.
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"Natarajan is a very hard-working guy, a humble guy and you feel happy for the guys working hard for results and making the team win. I wish him all the best. Hope he continues to work hard on his game and keep getting better because a left-arm bowler is always an asset for any team. And if he can bowl that well and consistently, it will be a great thing for us heading into World Cup next year," he said.
Kohli said he was impressed with his side's performance in the just-concluded two limited-overs series, especially with those from players like Natarajan, who haven't played any international cricket before. Looking at the T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in India in October-November next year, Kohli praised Natarajan's hard work and patience and said that he can prove to be important for the team.
"We have played some really good cricket over the last 11-12 T20s and the fact that this was the squad that had players who haven't had so much exposure at the international level, a few guys who are playing the first few games, from that point of view it was really a nice performance. Especially after losing first two ODIs, we came back nicely in the third and showed belief and we carried that momentum forward fighting back again the first two T20s. Tonight's game was close too," said Kohli.
The Indian team lost by 12 runs to Australia in the third and final T20I. In this match, Natarajan took 1 wicket. Despite this defeat, India captured the series 2–1. Team India won the first T20 match held in Canberra and the second in Sydney as well.