cricket is a dream factory — but also a graveyard of unfinished stories. Few players capture that contrast like T. Natarajan, the left-arm yorker machine who rose from tennis-ball cricket in tamil Nadu to debut for india in all three formats on one tour.
From uncoached raw talent to IPL sensation to Australia’s nightmare in 2020-21, Natarajan looked destined to script a fairytale. But cricket, like life, is merciless. One injury, a crowded pace attack, and fading bcci attention later, India’s “Yorker King” quietly vanished from the international scene. His story is not just about talent. It’s about how brutal this sport can be when momentum dies.
1. From Chinnappampatti to Chennai: A Tennis-Ball Star is Born
With no coaching, no facilities, and barely any money, Natarajan started his journey playing tennis-ball cricket in Salem. For most, that’s where dreams end. For him, it was just the start.
2. Breaking Into Ranji, Breaking Stereotypes
In 2015, he earned his tamil Nadu Ranji cap. A left-arm pacer in a land of off-spinners was a rarity. His raw pace and yorkers made heads turn instantly.
3. The Action Controversy That Could’ve Killed His Career
During TNPL, he was reported for a suspect action. Many careers end right there. Natarajan rebuilt his action, rebuilt his confidence, and came back harder. That resilience defined his career.
4. IPL 2020: When the Yorker king Was Crowned
In the UAE, while other pacers sprayed wides, Natarajan nailed yorkers at will for Sunrisers Hyderabad. From dismissing ab de villiers to choking death overs, he became an overnight IPL sensation.
5. From Net Bowler to National hero in Australia
Picked as a net bowler for the 2020-21 australia tour, fate had other plans. Injuries to frontline bowlers gave him a chance — and he debuted in T20Is, ODIs, and Tests in the same tour. A record no indian had ever achieved before.
6. Gabba Glory, Forgotten Story
At the Gabba, he played a crucial role in India’s historic series win. Millions cheered him. His yorkers became memes of pride. Yet, once the tour ended, he was quietly dropped back into obscurity.
7. The Knee That Betrayed Him
In 2021, a severe knee injury and surgery robbed him of rhythm. While he rehabbed, India’s fast-bowling bench exploded with Bumrah, Shami, Siraj, and new names like Prasidh and Avesh. By the time he recovered, the bus had left.
8. From National hero to IPL Survivor
Today, Natarajan remains a useful IPL bowler, but the aura of “next big thing” has long faded. The bcci never recalled him, proving how quickly indian cricket forgets its heroes.
9. The Brutal Reality of indian Cricket
One season you’re the face of a nation, the next you’re a trivia answer. Natarajan’s story is a reminder that cricket doesn’t wait. It rewards form, fitness, and timing — and it punishes anyone who falters.
🎯 Bottom Line
T. Natarajan’s journey is a lesson in both dreams and despair. From Salem’s dusty grounds to the Gabba’s historic triumph, he lived the highest of highs. But indian cricket’s conveyor belt is ruthless — it moved on, leaving the Yorker king behind.
His tale isn’t just about one bowler. It’s about how brutally unforgiving cricket really is.
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