Chennai, April 10 (NationPress) T. Natarajan, the left-arm fast bowler for the Delhi Capitals (DC), expressed that a demanding six-month training program has significantly aided him in regaining his bowling rhythm and enhancing his capacity to deliver high-speed yorkers. He added that his confidence is soaring, and he is content with his current performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

Having struggled with injuries over the past few years, Natarajan has secured four wickets in three matches this IPL season, with an economy rate of 7.9. "Last year was particularly tough due to a collarbone injury. The team management, coaches, and support staff were incredibly motivating, guiding me through the necessary training regimen," he remarked.

“I participated in several training camps across Delhi, Surat, Hyderabad, and Dubai, which played a crucial role in restoring my rhythm and confidence. Returning from an injury is a challenging process, both mentally and physically. Each time I found my form, an injury would unfortunately occur,” he noted.

“Over the past six to seven months, I have dedicated myself to improving my fitness and bowling skills. I’ve practiced extensively to refine my yorkers and regain my rhythm. My confidence is high now, and I’m really pleased with my current state,” Natarajan stated during a pre-match press conference on Friday, as DC prepared to face Chennai Super Kings on Saturday.

Discussing the evolution of T20 bowling, Natarajan emphasized the necessity of having clear tactical plans before executing them. "Cricket has evolved significantly, and batsmen are now much more astute. They prepare thoroughly and strategize effectively against bowlers. For me, having clarity in my plans is crucial. Understanding what I aim to execute in every scenario is vital. Even if I face setbacks, if my plans are clear, I trust myself to deliver,” he added.

Renowned for his yorker expertise, Natarajan shared that he utilized a combination of tennis and red-ball training to fine-tune his lengths, following advice from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the veteran seamer from India and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

"Having played tennis-ball cricket since childhood has greatly benefited me. To enhance my execution, I practiced with tennis balls, weighted balls, and red balls. Bhuvneshwar Kumar previously advised me to work with the red ball slowly to improve my length control, which has proven beneficial for my bowling,” he explained.

Despite a narrow loss by one run to the Gujarat Titans in their last match, Natarajan expressed faith in the DC bowling unit’s ability to rebound. "The team understandably feels emotional after such a close loss, but this is a lengthy tournament, and we are still early in the season. Our bowling attack has been performing admirably, featuring world-class spinners and capable pacers. Mukesh Kumar and our spinners are all contributing effectively," he concluded.