World Cup-winning India spinner Harbhajan Singh said he is “so happy” for T Natarajan, saying the India fast bowler’s confidence has been a big boost for Team India in the ongoing limited-overs series in Australia.
Speaking to India Today, Harbhajan Singh pointed out that T Natarajan might have it tough when opposition teams start figuring him out but said the 29-year-old has shown the ability to come back strong from tough situations in his short international career.
Harbhajan Singh’s comments come after Natarajan shone with figures of 2/20 in India’s 6-wicket win over Australia in the 2nd T20I. Natarajan, who picked up 3 wickets on his T20I debut on Friday.
“Well, I am so happy for Natarajan. The way he has gone about his life and the way he is performing is unbelievable. It shows that if you keep the faith and keep working hard and believe in yourselves, anything is possible,” Harbhajan Singh said.
“He has been a brilliant bowler for India in this series. He has been one of those major pillars in this series. Picking up wickets when India needed those wickets.
“He showed he has the potential to be there and win games for Team India. He is someone who is very confident, whatever I have seen on screen, he is not afraid of getting hit. That’s something very special. At that level, all that matters is how confident you are.”
Harbhajan Singh said Natarajan is in line to bag the Man of the Series Award and such an honour in his maiden T20I series will be a big boost to the pacer’s confidence. The veteran cricketer urged Natarajan to keep working hard, saying it might get tougher at the international level if teams start figuring the pacer out.
“If he becomes man of the series, it will boost his confidence and how! Becoming Man of the Series against Australia and that too in Australia will be a big, big boost for him. It’s a big plus for Team India. It’s a great story… where he has come from and what he is doing for Team India,” Harbhajan Singh said.
“I think he is raw, he has not been seen in international cricket. There is not much footage about him. More he will play, batsmen will judge his line, length and pace. It’s going to get tougher. He needs to work hard on his game and keep improving.”
