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Delhi Capitals (DC) have had a good Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 so far. They lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) but the Axar Patel-led side are placed fourth on the points table with six wins from nine games. While DC are yet to lose any match in a comprehensive manner, the absence of left-arm pacer T Natarajan still remains mystery. After Mukesh Kumar went for plenty against RCB and DC lost in the penultimate over, the question surfaced again. However, DC mentor Kevin Pietersen seembed baffled by the question and asked where does Natarajan fit in the playing XII.
“We can only play 12 players, one being an impact player. And if you can tell me where he fits in at the moment, you would help us. If you can help us play 13-14, it would help us. One thing I can say about Natarajan is that he's doing everything that he's been asked to do, as are all of our players. What's been so impressive about our set up is how good the guys are that are not playing, and they know that their chance is coming. They know that their chance is just around the corner,” Pietersen said in the post-match press conference.
Natarajan tried to explain himself by citing Donovan Ferreira's example who got just one opportunity to bat against Gujarat Titans (GT). The Englishman did not rule out Natarjan playing in the upcoming matches. He revealed that a few DC players have been affected by the weather as well like RCB opener Phil Salt.
“You have a look at Donovan the other night, he turned up and faced a couple of balls against GT. I mean that was spur of the moment, but he was ready. It didn't work out, but he was ready and all of our players are ready. Anything can happen again. I think Phil Salt went down with a viral. We've had a few players that have gone down the night before a game because of a viral or some sort of illness. So all our players are ready and Natu is again, he's chomping at the bit to get there,” he added.
Pietersen doesn't care about Natarajan's price tag
Natarjan was roped in for Rs 10.75 crore by DC in the mega auction after an intense bidding war. Pietersen said that the price tag does not come into play when they decide who plays and who doesn't. He pointed out that Jake Fraser-McGurk is not playing either. Fraser-McGurk was retained via Right to Match (RTM) card for Rs 9 crore.
“I don't want to talk about money. This competition's long gone money. In the Premier League, people don't talk about how much money the football is on, so that conversation for me is dead. It's more about the impact of a player and a team and when the player is ready to be selected and if you can make space for him. We're lucky we're in a good position where we've got Jake who's off the field. Faf came back today. Natu's off the field. Like we've got some very good strength really good depth in our squad,” the 44-year-old further added.
Natarajan's performance in IPL 2024
In the previous season, Natarajan was exceptional and played a crucial role in Sunrisers Hyderabad's (SRH) road to the final. He claimed 19 wickets from 14 games at an average of 24.47.
Mukesh struggles
Meanwhile, Mukesh has played nine games and claimed nine wickets. His best of 4 for 33 came against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). His economy rate is almost 10 runs per over. In the match against RCB, he conceded 51 runs from 3.3 overs. In the penultimate over, he conceded 19 runs against Tim David.
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