T Natarajan believes the Delhi Capitals\u2019 management played a key role in helping him rebuild after a serious injury derailed his previous campaign. The left-arm fast bowler was snapped up for INR 10.75 crore ahead of the 2025 season, but fitness issues limited him to just two appearances for the franchise. With the new year underway, however, he has looked closer to his best, featuring in all three matches for Delhi so far.<\/p>\n
Speaking ahead of Delhi\u2019s fixture against CSK, Natarajan opened up about the extent of last season\u2019s setback. \u201cLast year, my collarbone was broken, not many people know it,\u201d he said. \u201cI was injured for most of the season and I was recovering towards the end of the season. I was not 100% fit. I was around 90% and I couldn\u2019t bowl [at full tilt].\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that the coaching and medical staff stayed actively involved throughout the rehabilitation. \u201cThe support staff and team management have been in touch with me and are monitoring my matches and training,\u201d Natarajan said.<\/p>\n
The pacer also credited specific members of the setup for maintaining communication and keeping him engaged in his recovery. \u201cThe DC team management has taken care of me in the last one year,\u201d he explained. \u201cBadani sir often chats with me and we even met during the TNPL and had chats. I attended a lot of camps in Delhi, Surat and Hyderabad.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Natarajan, part of his preparation involved an extended training block away from his usual routine. \u201cThey sent me to Dubai for three weeks and the specific focus was on training. I practiced a lot and even played in the DY Patil (tournament) and that gave me confidence and rhythm,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Natarajan\u2019s injury came at a crucial moment in his career. The 2024 season had been his most productive in terms of wicket-taking for Sunrisers Hyderabad, and he helped the side reach the final before the latest disruption to his 2025 plans. Looking back, he acknowledged how tough the cycle of success followed by setbacks can be.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had a lot of injuries,\u201d he recalled. \u201cEvery time I do well, I\u2019ve had an injury setback. In the 2024 season I did well for SRH, we went to the final and next year unfortunately I hurt my bone while fielding. Whenever I have some success, I\u2019ve had a break like this. I\u2019ve motivated myself that I can come back from all these. I\u2019ve had a strong support system, which has made it easier.\u201d<\/p>\n
While physical recovery has taken time, Natarajan says he now approaches setbacks with greater mental toughness\u2014especially after an earlier period when he was reported for a suspect bowling action more than a decade ago. He highlighted that his journey back has involved more than one operation and long stretches of rebuilding confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had some three-four surgeries so far,\u201d he pointed out. \u201cAnd every year I\u2019ve had a setback, physically and mentally I\u2019ve overcome a lot of challenges. The biggest challenge for me was coming back from being called for suspect action.\u201d<\/p>\n
He stressed that injuries are part of cricket and that he had to accept what was out of his control. \u201cInjuries are a part of the game and it\u2019s not in my hands,\u201d Natarajan said. \u201cAfter coming back from suspect action, I had the confidence that I can comeback from any setback. I was mentally weak at the time, but that gave me the confidence that I can overcome any challenge, including injuries.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pacer also described how he has tightened his personal routines since returning to full training. \u201cI motivated myself and I stayed true to myself and my strengths,\u201d he said. \u201cI can now train whenever I want to at my ground in my village. Earlier to train, I had to come to Chennai. I have healthy food and that has helped improve my fitness.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the bowling front, Natarajan revealed that he has moved away from relying on the cross-seam approach to land his yorkers. \u201cNatarajan also revealed that he no longer relies on bowling with the cross seam to execute his yorkers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBowling with the seam has been very difficult,\u201d Natarajan said. \u201cAfter bowling with the cross-seam for so many years and now bowling seam yorkers has been very difficult. Why can\u2019t I do it? I had that question in my mind. If everyone can do it, I can execute it too.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
T Natarajan believes the Delhi Capitals\u2019 management played a key role in helping him rebuild after a serious injury derailed his previous campaign. The left-arm…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1767,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2025: Natarajan Fit Again, Says DC Helped Recovery","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"IPL 2025 update: T Natarajan credits Delhi Capitals\u2019 management for his injury comeback, saying he\u2019s ready to deliver after returning to full fitness.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n