The majority of credit for winning the last ODI against Australia is given to Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja who played an exceptional knock under tough circumstances to make sure that India posts a decent total against Australia in order to save the pride in the last ODI of the three-match series which host have already won by 2-1. There were other heroes too who played a very important role in India’s victory and one such name is T Natarajan who made his ODI debut for India and took 2 wickets was complemented by Shardul Thakur on the other end who clinched 3 wickets including the priceless wicket of Steven Smith.
A massive day for @Natarajan_91 today as he makes his #TeamIndia debut. He becomes the proud owner of 🧢 232. Go out and give your best, champ! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/YtXD3Nn9pz
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 2, 2020
Natarajan was initially nervous but held his composure to dismantle the Australian batting lineup by doing early damage after he clinched the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne who was sent at the top with Aaron finch in absence of David Warner who is ruled out in the ongoing white ball series against India due to injury that he developed while fielding. However, Natarajan came back in his final spell to take yet another important wicket of Ashton Agar(28) who was looking set to take the game away from India.
It was a surreal experience to represent the country. Thanks to everyone for your wishes.
Looking forward for more challenges 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/22DlO9Xuiv
— Natarajan (@Natarajan_91) December 3, 2020
He got an opportunity in the playing XI after the management decided to bench fast bowlers like Mohammad Shami and Navdeep Saini. He was appreciated for his performance in recently concluded 3rd ODI against Australia by fellow teammate Shardul Thakur.
“He is good. He did well in the IPL, bowling those yorkers,” said Thakur of his teammate in post-match interaction with the media.
“But he came back (after a thrashing) in this game and showed character. That is most important. We need players like that, those who can come back,” added Thakur.
The Tamil Nadu bowler, who opened the bowling spell with Jasprit Bumrah on the other end bowled an impressive early spell of 4 overs where he took 1 wicket and gave away 21 runs. His story of coming from humble background to making his debut for India is a complete fairy tale and will inspire next generation of cricketers who wants to pick this great game of cricket as profession.
