T. Natarajan reunites with SRH as Zeeshan Ansari moves to DC in player trade
The left-arm pacer returns to his former franchise at a reduced fee, while the young spinner switches camps in an inter-franchise deal.
T Natarajan is set to return to Sunrisers Hyderabad in an inter-franchise player trade with Delhi Capitals, with left-arm spinner Zeeshan Ansari heading the other way as part of the same deal.
Natarajan had been retained by DC for INR 10.75 crore ahead of IPL 2027. Under the trade, he will move back to SRH at a revised fee of INR 5 crore, a notable reduction from what DC originally paid at the IPL 2025 Player Auction. Ansari, who was retained by SRH for IPL 2026, will cross over to DC at his retention fee of INR 40 lakh.
The deal reunites Natarajan with the franchise he represented across five seasons from 2020 to 2024, a period during which he became one of SRH's most dependable bowling options in the powerplay and at the death.
What does Natarajan's record at SRH tell us?
Natarajan's five-season stint at SRH between 2020 and 2024 established him as a consistent left-arm pace threat, particularly in the powerplay and at the death. His standout campaign came in IPL 2024, when he claimed 19 wickets, the highest tally by any SRH bowler across that edition.
That form prompted DC to secure him for INR 10.75 crore at the IPL 2025 Player Auction, one of the more significant investments the franchise made in that cycle. DC subsequently retained him at the same figure ahead of IPL 2026 before the two sides agreed on this trade.
His return to SRH at INR 5 crore reflects the financial mechanics of the trade structure, with Ansari's movement in the other direction forming part of the overall arrangement. For SRH, reacquiring a bowler of Natarajan's proven record at a lower cost represents a straightforward gain in their pace department.
What has Zeeshan Ansari contributed in IPL cricket so far?
Ansari announced himself in emphatic fashion on his IPL debut, picking up three wickets against DC on March 30 2025. The performance was notable not only for its impact but also because it came against the very franchise he is now set to join.
He went on to feature in 10 matches for SRH during the 2025 season. Across those appearances, Ansari accumulated six wickets in total, offering SRH a left-arm spin option that complemented their pace-heavy attack.
At INR 40 lakh, Ansari represents a cost-efficient addition for DC as they look to broaden their spin-bowling options.
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