Thangarasu Natarajan admits pressure before unexpected debut

Thangarasu Natarajan, 29, became the only India player to make a debut in all three formats during the same tour.

Taken to Australia as a net bowler, pacer Thangarasu Natarajan ended up making history by debuting in all three formats. He said that he didn’t expect to get the opportunity and was under pressure in his first match in India colours. Natarajan, 29, became the only India player to make a debut in all three formats during the same tour. He made his India debut in the third ODI in Canberra on December 2.

“I was keen to do my job. I didn’t expect to get an opportunity in the ODIs. When I was told that I will be playing, there was pressure. I wanted to make use of the opportunity. Playing and taking a wicket was like a dream,” Natarajan told reporters in Chinnappampatti in Salem district. The left-arm pacer made his Test debut in the fourth and final match at Gabba which India won to seal a historic series win against Australia. Natarajan took three wickets in the match.

He said that representing the country was a dream come true. “I cannot express my happiness in words about playing for India. It’s like a dream. I got a lot of support from the coaches, players. They supported and motivated me a lot. I was able to perform well because of their backing,” he said in Tamil. Natarajan also said that he enjoyed playing under the captaincy of both Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, adding they supported and encouraged him a lot. “[Virat] Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane handled me very well. They had positive things to say and encouraged me a lot. I enjoyed playing under both of them,” he added.

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