IPL 2021: SRH pacer T Natarajan ruled out of the tournament due to knee injury

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pacer T Natarajan has been ruled out of the remainder of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). This comes as a massive blow for the franchise who only registered their first win of the tournament beating the Punjab Kings. They have lost three matches out of four so far and currently are at the fifth position in the points table.

Natarajan was a designated death bowler for SRH but didn’t play the last two matches. However, Tom Moody had then said that the left-arm pacer was only rested. Khaleel Ahmed replaced him in the line-up and has performed decently thus far.

As far as T Natarajan is concerned, his knee injury has been aggravated if the sources close to the development are to be believed. It has also been understood that the 30-year-old could be asked to report to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.

“We have not got the full report but we have been told that he has developed a strain in the knee. He will have to undergo rehab in the NCA,” the sources said according to Cricbuzz. NCA physios were already having a keen eye on his fitness and have reported to the BCCI about his injury getting aggravated.

T Natarajan missed in the start of England ODIs as well

Interestingly, T Natarajan has spent more time at the NCA since returning from the Australia tour where he made his debut in all three formats in international cricket. He was picked in the Tamil Nadu side for the Vijay Hazare Trophy but the BCCI had then requested TNCA to release him.

Natarajan then reported to NCA and was expected to join team India for the ODI series against England. But he joined the team late and only played the final ODI. The period of the bowler being ruled out is still not clear but as of now he might reach NCA soon to recover.