‘Getting back in that Indian side won’t be too far away from it’ – James Franklin weighs in on Natarajan’s non-selection for T20 World Cup

T Natarajan. (Source -IPL)

Ever since the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 has been released, there have been extensive discussions and exchange of views with regard to the shortlisted 15 members. Amongst some surprise exclusions comes T Natarajan’s mention, as fans were left baffled regarding the same, especially after the left-arm pacer has had an injury-free and fantastic IPL 2024 up until now, having scalped 15 wickets in the eight innings he has featured in.

Ahead of the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s vital fixture against the Mumbai Indians, former New Zealand all-rounder and current bowling coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad, touched upon the same, remarking that there is an expansive pool of talent filled with skillful cricketers in India, and that the only thing Natarajan, a fellow southpaw, can control are the controllables from his end. He also iterated the reason for him to be such a crucial cog in the machinery of SRH – his death-over yorker bowling.

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“There are just so many quality players in India. He can only control what he can. His great strength is obviously his yorker bowling. That is where he is a huge asset for us as a team,” said Franklin as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Franklin also suggested that provided Natarajan keeps up with the good work throughout the entirety of the tournament and is consistent in replicating the performances he’s displayed up until this point, then him getting back into the Indian setup will soon transpire.

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“If he keeps going the way he is going and can hold his form throughout the rest of this IPL, those sorts of conversations around India, they tend to take care of themselves. If he keeps performing, then getting back in that Indian side won’t be too far away from it,” added Franklin.