T. Natarajan has credited the support staff and management of Delhi Capitals for helping him recover from a collarbone injury that severely limited his involvement in the IPL 2025 season. The left-arm pacer revealed he was not fully fit for most of last year but gradually rebuilt his rhythm with structured rehab and training support.
His return to form has added stability to Delhi Capitals’ pace attack this season, where he has already taken on key death-overs responsibilities. The broader context of Natarajan’s resurgence lies in Delhi Capitals’ long-term investment in his rehabilitation after a high-value acquisition in the 2024 mega auction, where they bought him for INR 10.75 crore despite his injury concerns. His gradual return has been crucial in strengthening their bowling depth, especially in the absence of senior pacers.
“Last year, my collarbone was broken, not many people know it,” said Natarajan, opening up on his injury struggles and recovery process, ahead of the clash against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk.
“I was injured for most of the season and was recovering towards the end. I was not 100% fit. I was around 90% and I couldn’t bowl. The support staff and team management have been in touch with me and are monitoring my matches and training.”
The pacer has appeared to regain his rhythm again, featuring in all three games for the franchise so far in the new season taking up the death overs responsibilities. The 35-year-old has raked up four wickets at an average 21.75 at an economy of 7.9 in the three games he has played thus far.
“The DC team management has taken care of me in the last one year. Badani sir often chats with me and we even met during the TNPL and had conversations. I attended camps in Delhi, Surat and Hyderabad. They also sent me to Dubai for three weeks for focused training. I practiced a lot and played in the DY Patil tournament, which gave me confidence and rhythm,” he said highlighting the structured support he received from the franchise during his rehabilitation phase.
YORKER FOCUS PAYS OFF
Known for his trademark yorkers developed through tennis-ball cricket, Natarajan has doubled down on refining his skills during recovery.
“A normal ball or a slower ball is easy to execute, but it’s not easy to execute a yorker,” he said.
“I feel the yorker is the hardest ball to execute. Whenever I had time in my village, I kept practicing the yorker with the tennis ball. Earlier I used to bowl the yorker with the cross-seam. Now I’m bowling with the seam up, which has helped.”
Statistically, Natarajan has already bowled six yorkers in three innings this season, placing him among the most effective death bowlers in the competition alongside names like Jasprit Bumrah.
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