Title: If You Can Tell Me Where Natarajan Fits, You’d Help Us: Pietersen to Reporter
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been filled with surprises and controversies, and the latest one to make headlines is the exclusion of T Natarajan from Delhi Capitals’ (DC) playing XI. The pacer was acquired by DC for a whopping ₹10.75 crore, making him one of the most expensive players in the auction. However, his absence from the team’s line-up has left many fans and experts scratching their heads.
When a reporter asked DC mentor Kevin Pietersen about Natarajan’s exclusion following their loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2025, Pietersen’s response was quite telling. “We can only play 12 players…one being an Impact Player,” he said. “If you can tell me where he fits in at the moment, you’d help us,” he added.
Pietersen’s statement raises several questions. Is Natarajan not fit enough to play in DC’s XI? Is he not good enough to make an impact in the game? Or is there something else going on that we don’t know about?
Natarajan has had a decent IPL career so far, with 34 wickets in 35 matches at an economy rate of 7.54. He has also been a part of the Indian national team, playing in the T20 Internationals and ODIs. However, his form has been patchy in recent times, which might be a concern for Pietersen and the DC management.
One possibility is that Natarajan is struggling with his fitness or is not bowling to his best. This could be due to a number of reasons, including injury, lack of practice, or simply not being able to adapt to the different conditions in the IPL. Pietersen’s statement suggests that Natarajan is not currently fit to play in DC’s XI, which is a big blow for a team that has high hopes for the season.
Another possibility is that DC has a different strategy in mind for Natarajan. Perhaps they want to use him as an Impact Player, as Pietersen mentioned. This would mean that Natarajan would only play in a specific situation, such as a high-pressure game or when the opposition is batting poorly. This is a common tactic in the IPL, where teams try to use their best players in the most important situations.
However, this raises the question of why DC didn’t use Natarajan in their previous game against RCB. The game was a close one, and Natarajan’s experience and skills could have been useful in the death overs. Instead, DC opted to play Anrich Nortje and Chetan Sakariya, which didn’t quite work out as planned.
It’s also possible that Pietersen and the DC management are trying to manage Natarajan’s workload. The pacer has been a part of the Indian national team for several years, and has been involved in a lot of cricket. This could be taking a toll on his body, and the DC management might be trying to avoid burnout by giving him regular breaks.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear that Natarajan’s exclusion from DC’s playing XI is a big decision, and one that has sparked a lot of debate. Pietersen’s statement suggests that he is willing to listen to different opinions and perspectives on the matter, which is a refreshing change from the usual IPL drama.
As fans, we can only speculate about what’s going on behind the scenes. However, one thing is for sure – Natarajan’s exclusion from DC’s XI is a significant development in the IPL 2025, and one that will be closely watched by fans and experts alike.
