From Dusty Fields In Salem To Gabba High - The Story Of T Natarajan

Pace bowler T Natarajan had all odds stacked against him growing up. His family, led by his father who toiled for daily wages, and mother who ran a roadside shack, had little money and his house had n

"There was this gentleman Jayaprakash who watched him bowl and saw potential and brought him to town. He called him for selection for Salem district. That is when he bowled with the cricket ball for the first time. We picked him for district cricket," said Ramaswamy.

In 2010, he came for Salem district under-22 team selections. That was the stepping stone. After league cricket in Salem, the left-arm pace bowler moved to Chennai and began playing fourth division league in 2011. A year later, he moved to the second division and then started representing the state association team in tournaments like the Buchi Babu Tournament to come into reckoning for the state.

Natarajan played his first Ranji Trophy game in 2015, an event that should have been celebrated. However, he was called for a suspect action in the game and had to return to work on his action.

However, it was the Tamil Nadu Premier League that catapulted him into the limelight. He shared the same dressing room space as India international R Ashwin in the T20 league.

From there it was the IPL and the Indian team to Australia, where he made his international debut across all formats within a gap of 44 days, something no Indian has done before. Due to quarantine and being away from family for long, he is yet to see his daughter who was born during the Indian Premier League.

Unlike other bowlers who give vent to their emotions after taking a wicket, Natarajan betrays no hint of emotion.

Asked during the IPL about this by Murali Kartik in a TV interview, Natarajan said, "I don't celebrate. I just take it coolly whether I take a wicket or hit for a six."

"I have seen him like this for the last 8-9 years," said Ramaswamy.