Natarajan is an Indian left-arm fast bowler whose rise began in Chinnappampatti, near Salem, and reached India’s international team in 2020. His yorkers, calm execution and long route through Tamil Nadu cricket made him one of the IPL’s most recognisable death-overs bowlers.
Know the player
T Natarajan at a glance
- Full name
- Thangarasu Natarajan
- Date of birth
- 4 April 1991
- Birthplace
- Salem, Tamil Nadu
- Playing role
- Bowler
- Batting style
- Left-hand bat
- Bowling style
- Left-arm medium
- Domestic team
- Tamil Nadu
- IPL team
- Delhi Capitals
- IPL debut
- 2017
Profile checked on 14 October 2026. Age is calculated from the date of birth.
Where it began
Childhood and cricketing roots
Natarajan grew up in Chinnappampatti, a village near Salem. His father worked as a daily-wage labourer in a saree-manufacturing unit, while his mother sold snacks by the roadside. He was the eldest of five children, and the family struggled to pay for basic school supplies.
Until he was 20, Natarajan played tennis-ball cricket. A meeting with Jayaprakash in 2011 opened the door to TNCA fourth-division cricket in Chennai. Jayaprakash became his mentor, and the name “JP Nattu” on his IPL shirt later acknowledged that early support.
The hard middle
From Tamil Nadu cricket to a professional reset
Natarajan made his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu in January 2015. His action was reported as suspect, which forced him to rebuild part of his bowling. He worked with senior players from the state and returned with a remodelled action.
The 2016 Tamil Nadu Premier League gave him a bigger platform. His ability to land yorkers repeatedly drew attention from IPL scouts. A strong Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, in which he took 13 wickets in 11 matches, helped bring him back into the IPL picture.
The franchise journey
IPL breakthrough and the Delhi Capitals chapter
At the 2017 IPL auction, Kings XI Punjab bought Natarajan for ₹3 crore from a ₹10 lakh base price. He played six matches and took two wickets. Sunrisers Hyderabad bought him for ₹40 lakh before IPL 2018, but he did not play that season as he recovered from an elbow injury.
His major breakthrough came with Sunrisers in IPL 2020. He took 16 wickets in 16 matches and became known for bowling yorkers at the end of an innings. He stayed with Sunrisers through IPL 2024, when he took 19 wickets in 14 matches. He moved to Delhi Capitals at the IPL 2025 auction for ₹10.75 crore. ESPNcricinfo reported that Delhi retained him for IPL 2026 at the same listed amount. That retention is a 2026 team decision; it is not a new auction purchase or a future retention claim.
The international step
India debut in all three formats
Natarajan was initially selected as a net bowler for India’s 2020–21 Australia tour. Injuries and team changes moved him into the match squad. He made his ODI debut against Australia in Canberra on 2 December 2020, then made his T20I debut at the same venue on 4 December. His Test debut followed at Brisbane on 15 January 2021.
That sequence made him the first Indian cricketer to debut across all three international formats on the same tour. He finished the Australia tour with six wickets in the T20I series. His last recorded India ODI was against England on 28 March 2021, and his last recorded T20I was against England on 20 March 2021, according to ESPNcricinfo’s profile.
What sets him apart
Why Natarajan’s yorker matters
A left-arm angle changes the batter’s view, but the skill is repeatability. Natarajan aims at the base of the stumps and mixes yorkers with slower deliveries. That approach is especially useful at the death. Delhi Capitals describes him as a bowler known for yorkers and calm execution under pressure.
Taken in 16 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Delhi Capitals bought him at the auction for the 2025 season.
ODI, T20I and Test debuts came during the Australia tour.
Delhi Capitals’ profile listed 72 wickets across 73 IPL matches when checked.
The journey in order
Career timeline
- 2011First organised opportunityEntered TNCA fourth-division cricket in Chennai after meeting mentor Jayaprakash.
- January 2015Tamil Nadu first-class debutPlayed his first-class match for Tamil Nadu.
- 2016TNPL breakthroughYorker-based bowling brought him into wider scouting focus.
- 2017First IPL seasonKings XI Punjab bought him for ₹3 crore; he played six matches.
- 2020IPL and India breakthroughHe took 16 IPL wickets, then made his ODI and T20I debuts in Australia.
- 15 January 2021Test debutPlayed his first Test against Australia at Brisbane.
- November 2024Delhi Capitals auction buyMoved to DC for ₹10.75 crore for IPL 2025.
- November 20252026 retentionDelhi Capitals retained him for the 2026 season at ₹10.75 crore.
- 14 October 2026Return to Sunrisers HyderabadFollowing a player trade, he returned to SRH at a revised fee of ₹5 crore.
Quick answers
T Natarajan biography FAQs
What is T Natarajan’s full name?
His full name is Thangarasu Natarajan.
Where was T Natarajan born?
He was born in Salem, Tamil Nadu, and grew up in Chinnappampatti near Salem.
When did T Natarajan make his India debut?
His ODI debut came against Australia in Canberra on 2 December 2020. He made his T20I debut two days later and his Test debut on 15 January 2021.
Which IPL teams has T Natarajan played for?
His IPL team history includes Kings XI Punjab, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals.
What is T Natarajan known for?
He is known for left-arm pace, accurate yorkers and death-overs bowling.
Was T Natarajan retained for IPL 2026?
Yes. Delhi Capitals retained him for the 2026 season at the listed ₹10.75-crore amount. On 14 October 2026, the IPL announced that he returned to Sunrisers Hyderabad at a revised fee of ₹5 crore. These are separate historical season and current trade figures, not a new guaranteed payment or net-worth addition.
