IPL 2022: Natarajan death over specialist, we missed him in T20 World Cup – Ravi Shastri

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has stated the national team missed the services of T Natarajan in the T20 World Cup.

Natarajan, who is well known to be a death-over specialist for his ability to bowl yorkers, was ruled out of the T20I showpiece due to a knee injury.

Meanwhile, India could not qualify for the semifinal stages after they lost their opening two matches against Pakistan and New Zealand.

Natarajan has impressed with his ability to nail the yorkers and he has taken giant strides since making his debut in the IPL. The left-arm pacer from Tamil Nadu has scalped four wickets in two IPL matches this season while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Natarajan was at his best against Lucknow Super Giants as he scalped two wickets and conceded only 26 runs in his four overs in SRH’s previous match but his efforts went in vain.

“Very happy for him. We missed him in the World Cup. He would’ve been a certainty had he been fit. 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 on ESPNCricinfo.

Meanwhile, Shastri added that India mostly won whenever Natarajan played for the national team. The left-arm pacer made his Test, T20I and ODI debut against Australia and India won all three games in his maiden match in every format.

“Every game I’ve picked him we won. In his debut in T20, India win. In his debut in Test cricket, India win. From a net bowler, he played those other two formats,” Shastri added.

Natarajan was bought back by SRH for INR 4 crores in IPL 2022 mega auction. SRH will next face defending champions Chennai Super Kings at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai on Saturday.