Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) spinner Ravi Ashwin has backed the comeback of discarded Indian pacer T Natarajan to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for the IPL 2027 season, calling the trade a smart move.
For the unversed, Natarajan was traded to SRH for INR 5 Crore, while Zeeshan Ansar was roped in by the Delhi Capitals (DC) for INR 40 Lakh. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin backed the move and called it positive for the seamer.
“The T. Natarajan trade is a smart trade. SRH was the best team for Natarajan. If you are a cricketer and you are in good form, joining a team where you feel good and are happy increases your chances of performing well. Natarajan has always been happy with SRH and has performed well for them. He is returning there from Delhi, and I think this could be a positive move for him,” Ashwin said.
Further, Ashwin asserted that Natarajan’s pace has severely dropped due to several injuries of late. However, he reckoned that the Tamil Nadu seamer could be SRH’s third pacer alongside Sakib Hussain and Eshan Malinga at home in Hyderabad.
“On the other hand, Natarajan has suffered several injuries, and his pace has dropped significantly. However, given SRH’s home conditions, alongside Sakib Hussain and Eshan Malinga, Natarajan could even be the third seamer in SRH’s bowling attack. He could be very useful in home conditions, so it is a great trade,” he added.
It’s worth noting that Natarajan played for SRH between IPL 2020 and 2024, scalping 65 wickets in 55 games at an economy of 8.82. In his overall IPL career, the seamer has picked up 72 wickets in 73 games.
Natarajan enjoyed his most successful IPL season in 2024, claiming 19 wickets, the most by any SRH bowler that season.
