Netizens demand World Cup spot for T Natarajan after SRH bowler claims Purple Cap: ‘Unfair to…

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pacer T Natarajan has emerged as a strong contender for a spot in the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup after claiming the Purple Cap in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Natarajan surpassed Mumbai Indians Jasprit Bumrah in the Purple Cap race after the SRH vs RR clash on May 2, taking his wicket tally to 15 in IPL 2024.

Despite the recent announcement of the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, which was made by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee on April 30, fans have rallied behind T Natarajan, urging the selectors to reconsider and include the talented left-arm pacer.

“Natarajan deserves a place more than Arshdeep. Nattu can bowl slower balls and ace lengths, which will suit the slower pitches in West Indies. #JusticeForNattu,” a user posted on social media.

Another fan suggested, “At least pick Natarajan as a net bowler for this T20 World Cup. It will boost his confidence.”

Many fans took to social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit to express their disappointment with Natarajan exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad. “He is the clutch bowler we need to pair with Bumrah,” one Reddit user commented.

The omission of Natarajan from the T20 World Cup squad has sparked a debate among cricket enthusiasts, with many questioning the selection criteria and advocating for Natarajan’s inclusion.

“Such is the world, unfair to the deserving because talent and hard work are often neglected if there is no publicity. Same with Nattu, he has no PR team, no personal brand. Just like Sandeep Sharma, he too may end up performing only in domestic and IPL cricket,” one disappointed fan expressed.

“It would have been lethal if Bumrah and Natarajan were firing yorkers from both ends. As a wise man once said, guys who remain silent will be considered underconfident by this selection committee. Nattu not being included in the T20 squad – whose loss is it? India’s or Natarajan’s?” another fan questioned.

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar also voiced his support for T Natarajan, expressing his surprise at the pacer’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad. “I was thinking more like T Natarajan, the left-arm pace bowler. He has been bowling extremely well. So, I thought maybe he could have been in the team. But that’s okay. I think the seam bowlers that they have got, they all have experience. So no problem with that,” Gavaskar told India Today.

With the uproar from fans and cricketing experts alike, the selection committee might be forced to reevaluate their decision and consider including T Natarajan in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup, given his exceptional performance in the IPL 2024 and his ability to deliver under pressure.