Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer T. Natarajan will be missing the rest of IPL 2021 due to a knee. It will be a big blow for Sunrisers Hyderabad since Natarajan was a key bowler for the franchise. The franchise is yet to name a replacement for Natarajan. SRH skipper David Warner had given an update on Natarajan’s injury after SRH’s first win against PBKS. Natarajan took two wickets in the two games that he played for SRH in IPL 2021.
A source at SRH camp told ANI that he has been ruled out for the entire season. The Tamil Nadu pacer will be heading to Bengaluru for a rehabilitation programme at the National Cricket Academy. Natarajan had been sitting out of the last two games for SRH since his knee was sore.
A BCCI source who was aware of these developments commented that Natarajan had a niggle during the Australia series, for which he had to miss the series against England. He recovered in time to play for India during the ODI series against England in March. However, the old injury has flared up again, and it won’t be possible for him to continue in the tournament again.
The source, who wishes to remain anonymous, further added that it is understood that the 30-year-old never made a full recovery, which could be because of the kind of heavy workload that he had to endure during the tour. Natarajan had gone for rehabilitation at the NCA, but it seems evident that even when he was declared fit to make a return against England, he was not completely match ready.
Even though the duration for which he will be out is not specified, it is possible that he could be out for a longer period as he was rushed back to action. Once he was back in India, the BCCI never made it public that he had sustained a knee injury.
Along with SRH, it is a big blow for Natarajan too. IPL 2021 was crucial for him to make it to the Indian squad for T-20 World Cup in October. He will be hoping to recover completely by the end of IPL 2021 and get opportunity for India during the reported bilateral T-20 series before the World Cup. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad play their next match against Delhi Capitals on Sunday in Chennai at the M Chidambaram Stadium.