Heartening to see Tamil Nadu players perform well, says Mukund

CHENNAI: Left-arm pacer Thangarasu Natarajan hit the headlines for the first time in 2016 when he delivered four pin-point yorkers in a ‘Super Over’ in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). Since that noteworthy performance, the 29-year-old has been a regular for the state side in domestic competitions.

Tamil Nadu stalwart Abhinav Mukund, who was at the receiving end of a couple of toe crushers four years back, hailed talk of the town Natarajan for his death-over heroics in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. Representing Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) after a two-year wait, Natarajan came up with a barrage of yorkers against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Abu Dhabi, earning plenty of plaudits from the cricket community.

The Salem-based fast bowler also had a fine outing against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Dubai. “People who follow Tamil Nadu cricket would not have been surprised with the way Natarajan nailed those yorkers. I am delighted that he has done well,” Mukund, a member of the Star Sports 1 Tamil commentary panel for the ongoing IPL, told DT Next.

“He didn’t play the last two years, but it is good that the franchise retained him. May be, new coach Trevor Bayliss and captain David Warner have more faith in him. He has been given the right space and freedom. At SRH, Natarajan is alongside Tamil Nadu teammate Vijay Shankar, who can help him communicate better with others.” Mukund, active in the domestic circuit since 2007, also heaped praise on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) offie Washington Sundar, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) leggie Murugan Ashwin.

“Washington has played for the country and we at least expect him to do well. Natarajan, Varun and M Ashwin have come up the ladder and done well. These are guys I play cricket day in and day out with. It is heartening to see them perform well,” said the southpaw.

Currently mesmerising the audience with his work behind the microphone, Mukund expressed happiness for being associated with the game in some capacity. “I was upset that there was no live sport on television for the last six months. I love being in touch with cricket and it is great to be back doing commentary. The entire country watches IPL and I am glad that I am a small part of it,” added Mukund.

(Catch the Indian Premier League live on Star Sports 1 Tamil)