T Natarajan: Thangarasu Natarajan, a name, which is echoing in the minds of every cricket fan right now, all over the world. A 29 years old newcomer to the international cricket has stolen everyone’s heart with his brilliant bowling show in Australia after a tremendous IPL season in UAE. Let me present to you his inspiring journey from a remote village to spotlight.
Image By- Twitter
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| Image By- Twitter |
“I don’t think I can give more happiness to my parents than this. Even they would not have expected this. Basically, my family does not know cricket.”
Hailing from a village 36 KM away from Salem, Natarajan’s
father works at a power loom, mother runs a small roadside chicken shop.
Underprivileged poor village family boy Nattu hadn’t even touched a proper
cricket ball before he was 20. He was just an ordinary village boy playing too
much tennis ball cricket, crushing batters’ toe with his accurate Yorker
bowling. Haven’t have money to continue his study. No money to travel to training
regularly.
Why JP Nattu?
“At these times my
brother is one who supported me. Even though he is not my own brother. He is
everything to me. He is like my
Godfather. JP… He came home and told my parents that he will take care of
me. My parents didn’t say anything. They told him that since it is you we will
let you take care of my son. From then until now and forever, he is the one who
is taking care of me as my Godfather. His
name is Jaipraksh. That is why I have his name on my jersey and I also have a
tattoo (Dedicated to Jaiprakash).” One golden heart with a golden
tribute for another golden heart. Isn’t it?
JP took him to Chennai club in 2011. He used to save money
from his local tournament to manage travelling fare to his training. Starting
from Chennai 4th division, he got a direct entry to Tamil Nadu Ranji
Trophy squad in 2014. Smooth nah? Not to be, he got reported for suspect
bowling action on debut.
“I didn’t expect to reach here… If someone shows the way and gives you chance, use it right. I did that. Work really hard… No negative thoughts. Do what you do perfectly.”
He worked on his actions for the whole year hard and hard
and made a comeback. That year, Tamil Nadu Premier League brought him to
lights. Got picked by KXIP for IPL in
2017. Virendra Sehwag recently recalled how much he was criticized for
buying this unknown player. Well, not the first time Viru Paaji was able to
recognize a gem from way before shining. Nattu didn’t know any other language
except his mother tongue Tamil. Played only few matches that season. Next
season came, next hurdle came. Missed whole season for elbow injury.
But not only Viru, SRH are also famous for bringing up gems.
Star studded bowling line up hardly had any chance to put in Nattu in the very
first season. That’s when Bhuvneshwar
Kumar told him that as he have come in new, he should try to learn more and
not to feel disappointed and these things happen in cricket. He did so. A
tremendous Ranji season across all formats next year. And at last IPL 2020 saw his surge, a surge to remember: 16 matches, 16 wickets with an economy of
8.02, with the tremendous feat of nailing most number of Yorkers in the
season, leaving behind the second on the list far behind.
Image By- Instagram
“My only aim was to play for Tamil Nadu. Set small goals. The bigger goals start following you. Whichever field it is, work hard and you will reach your ultimate goal.”
National call is not a cup of tea. So, it alluded. But luck
was not rude with him this time. And as
they say, when luck favours you, it favours you in tremendous fashion. An injury to Varun Chakravarthy earned him a
call for the T20I team against Australia; then got into the revised ODI squad
too. And then the rest we all know. Well, he has now got a chance in the test
team replacing injured Ishant Sharma. Well, player Natarajan is not the focus
here, that’s reserved for the next article, no not going to details.
“I wish to train many youngsters and bring them up like me.”
The down to earth, ever smiling young pacer has some little
dreams more: some little, some a bit bigger. He has already started a cricket
academy with JP. Many told him to open
it at Salem but he chose his village. As he says, he wants to do it for his
village and it’s youngsters. And guess what, they already have 50-60 students,
and guess what all of them get fully free of cost training. Many of his
students are playing in Chennai League, 3 have been selected for TNPL
and one has already bagged all the awards for bowlers in the latest TNPL,
Periyasamy. Eldest son in the family
wants to support his brother in studies and all, as far as he wants to go and
also take the whole responsibility of his sisters and ease the battle of his
parents, a simple, sweet and responsible Indian young family boy.
Tags: T Natarajan, Jayprakash, IPL, Cricket, TNPL, KXIP,
SRH, Indian Cricket Team, Virendra Sehwag, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Periyasamy,
Salem, Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, India vs Australia, Yorker
An Article By:
Arpan Purkait
Very well covered guys ! Further looking for more such interesting contents !
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