'You deserve Man of the Series from my side bhai' - Hardik Pandya tweets for T Natarajan

Though the Indian team registered a defeat against Australia by 12 runs at Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday in the final T20 International, they managed to clinch the series by 2-1. India has a lot of positives to take from the white-ball tour against Australia. The left-arm fast-medium bowler from Salem, Thangarasu Natarajan emerged as the biggest revelation for India in the limited-overs format.

Natarajan’s sudden rise to prominence in the international circuit is nothing less than a fairytale and luck played a big role in his journey. After a brilliant run in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020), Natarajan was named as the net bowler for India tour of Australia. However, the axing of spinner Varun Chakravarthy from the tour due to an injury meant that the selectors decided to add the pacer to the main squad.

This was followed by the Tamil Nadu-born making his debut on the big stage in the final ODI against Australia at Manuka Oval in Canberra. Natrajan had a decent outing as he impressed everyone with his yorker bowling ability and picked 2 wickets while giving 70 runs in his 10 overs.

T Natarajan impresses the cricket fraternity with his disciplined bowling

After a tight and disciplined bowling display in the ODI match, the 29-year-old got his maiden T20I cap during the first T20 international against Australia in Canberra. In that game, Natrajan scalped three wickets of D’Arcy Short, Glenn Maxwell, and Mitchell Starc. Natarajan ended the first three-match T20I series of his career with 6 wickets at an economy rate of 6.91. He was arguably the best pacer throughout the T20I series.

With his exemplary performances with the ball, Natarajan managed to impress his teammate and all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Pandya is in awe of the Salem Stalwart’s heroics with the willow and also argued that he should have been given the Man of the Series award.

Hardik was adjudged the Man of the Series award for his match-defining knock of unbeaten 42 runs off 22 deliveries in the second game. However, just after receiving the prestigious Trophy, Hardik handed over his award to Natarajan. The same gesture was repeated by Indian skipper Virat Kohli too who had given the series Trophy to the debutant while posing for the winning picture.

Hardik also took to his official Twitter handle to shower praises on Natarajan for a wonderful series against Australia, “Natarajan, you were outstanding this series. To perform brilliantly in difficult conditions on your India debut speaks volumes of your talent and hardwork. You deserve Man of the Series from my side bhai! Congratulations to #TeamIndia on the win” Hardik tweeted.

Natarajan, you were outstanding this series. To perform brilliantly in difficult conditions on your India debut speaks volumes of your talent and hardwork 👏 You deserve Man of the Series from my side bhai! Congratulations to #TeamIndia on the win 🇮🇳🏆 pic.twitter.com/gguk4WIlQD

— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) December 8, 2020