Pace bowler Thangarasu Natarajan, who made headlines again this week after being selected for the national cricket squad, has earned high praise from both Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami and Leader of Opposition MK Stalin. The two political party heads, congratulated the player who grew up in Salem and celebrated his performance in the Indian Premier League.
The Chief Minister took to Twitter to say, "The selection of Natarajan from Salem, who made cricketing stalwarts struggle with his astonishing bowling to the Indian squad gives me great pride and joy. I wish that he continues to have several achievements in his journey."
கிரிக்கெட் உலகின் ஜாம்பவான்களை தமது அசாத்திய பந்துவீச்சால் திக்குமுக்காடச் செய்த சேலம் மண்ணின் மைந்தர் திரு.நடராஜன் அவர்கள் இந்திய அணிக்கு தேர்வாகியுள்ளது மிகுந்த மகிழ்ச்சியும் பெருமிதமும் அளிக்கிறது. அவரது சிகரம் நோக்கிய பயணத்தில் தொடர் வெற்றிகள் பெற எனது மனமார்ந்த வாழ்த்துகள்! pic.twitter.com/eZsMvkMVCJ
— Edappadi K Palaniswami (@CMOTamilNadu) November 9, 2020
DMK chief MK Stalin meanwhile personally spoke with the fast bowler, expressing his wishes.
"My congratulations and praise to Salem Yorker Puyal (cyclone) Natarajan who has been selected for the Indian team. I spoke to Natarajan. I expressed my hope that he will attain great heights, more victories and bring pride to the team. Let all his dreams come true," he tweeted.
இந்திய கிரிக்கெட் அணிக்குத் தேர்வாகியுள்ள சேலத்து யார்க்கர் புயல் நடராஜனுக்கு வாழ்த்துகளும், பாராட்டுகளும்!@Natarajan_91 உடன் பேசினேன். அவர் உயர்வுகளைப் பெறவும், வெற்றிகள் குவித்து, அணிக்கு பெருமை சேர்க்கவும் எனது விருப்பங்களைத் தெரிவித்தேன்!
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) November 10, 2020
அனைத்துக் கனவுகளும் நிறைவேறட்டும்! pic.twitter.com/U2225yrSDH
DMK chief MK Stalin meanwhile personally spoke with the fast bowler, expressing his wishes.
Natarajan replaced Varun Chakravarthy, who has been injured, in India's tour of Australia for a three-match 20-20 series. This, after the pacer made heads turn with his performance for Sunrisers Hyderabad. His knack for bowling yorkers was noticed by selectors who chose him to replace the injured player.
The IPL proved to be a game changer for the 29-year-old who has struggled with injuries and problems with his action before. This IPL was a game-changer for Natarajan. He put his foot on the accelerator for Sunrisers Hyderabad. His stint in Sunrisers however saw his pace go upto over 130 kmph. His strength is his yorker that he is able to deliver at will. The yorker he bowled to AB de Villiers in the eliminator specifically, went straight to the stumps leaving the in-form batsman flabbergasted.