Delhi Capitals’ left-arm quick T Natarajan has spoken openly about his difficult recovery journey after a collarbone problem, describing how a demanding training block and deliberate practice helped him rebuild rhythm and confidence. Ahead of the clash against Chennai Super Kings, the bowler said the resurgence has been driven by better fitness and a structured routine that blends tennis-ball work with red-ball practice—an approach he believes has sharpened his execution, especially in the death overs.
Injury setback and the road to comeback
Natarajan said his previous campaign was disrupted when he suffered a collarbone injury, calling it a mentally and physically trying period. He added that the turnaround became possible only because the franchise’s management, support staff, and coaches kept motivating him and mapped out the training he needed to follow.
- He described last year as “a difficult phase” after the collarbone injury and credited the team environment for keeping him moving forward.
- He said he attended multiple training camps across Delhi, Surat, Hyderabad, and Dubai to regain rhythm and belief.
- He highlighted that the encouragement around him made his return process smoother.
Impact in IPL 2026 and DC retention
The pacer’s current form has drawn attention after a return that has coincided with him taking charge of Delhi’s bowling in the final overs. He noted that he is now feeling comfortable with his game, and that confidence has risen after months of focused preparation.
- Natarajan played only two matches in the previous IPL season before the injury.
- He has looked in good touch in the current season, particularly as a strike option in the death overs for Delhi Capitals.
- In IPL 2026, he grabbed three wickets against Lucknow Super Giants in their opening match of the tournament.
- Delhi Capitals retained him for Rs 10.75 crore.
Training methods: tennis ball, red ball and yorker focus
Speaking about what has changed, Natarajan explained that his work over the last six or seven months has been about fitness and bowling mechanics, with special emphasis on bringing yorkers back into his repertoire. He also detailed how he uses tennis-ball cricket to improve control and skill execution, while gradually incorporating red-ball sessions to fine-tune length.
- For the past six to seven months, he has worked intensely on fitness and bowling.
- He practised heavily to re-establish yorkers and restore his rhythm.
- He said his confidence is high and he is pleased with the way things are unfolding.
Natarajan also explained that his development as a bowler has long included tennis-ball practice, which he feels has shaped his execution. He said he has used tennis balls, weighted balls, and red balls to sharpen the way he delivers.
- He has played tennis-ball cricket since childhood, which he believes has helped his bowling.
- To improve execution, he has used tennis balls, weighted balls, and red balls.
- He discussed training with Bhuvneshwar Kumar earlier, and the suggestion was to practise with the red ball slowly to improve length control.
- He credited that red-ball approach as a key factor in improving his bowling.
Adapting as a bowler in a smarter batting era
Natarajan said the game has evolved significantly, with batters now preparing more thoroughly and planning better against specific bowlers. He stressed that for him, the most important part is having clarity about plans for every phase and every situation—so that even if he gets hit, he can still trust his decision-making and stick to what he wants to execute.
- He believes cricket has changed and batters are much more prepared now.
- He said batters plan against bowlers, making clarity of execution crucial.
- He described having a clear plan in every situation as the key to delivering under pressure.
- He added that even if he is struck, a well-defined plan helps him back himself to perform.
