T Natarajan featured in only two matches for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025. He was one of the most expensive buys in the IPL 2025 mega auction, with Delhi Capitals (DC) securing the left-arm pacer for a hefty sum of INR 10.75 crore. His base price was INR 2 crore, making him the franchise’s third costliest player after KL Rahul and Mitchell Starc.
IPL 2025: Despite the big investment, DC kept Natarajan out of the playing XI for most of the season. He played just two games — against Gujarat Titans (GT) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). He went wicketless in the match against GT.
The game against SRH was abandoned due to rain, which meant Natarajan didn’t get a chance to bowl. Overall, he bowled just 18 deliveries in the entire tournament. DC’s decision to bench such an expensive signing sparked a lot of debate.
IPL 2025: Hemang Badani Reveals Why T Natarajan Didn’t Feature in All Matches for Delhi Capitals
Hemang Badani, who served as the head coach of Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, explained why T Natarajan didn’t play in every game of the season. While commentating during a match in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2025, Badani revealed that the left-arm pacer wasn’t fully fit and struggled with injury throughout the tournament.
“Why would we spend ₹11 crore on a player and bench him? We specifically bought him to bowl in the middle and death overs. Unfortunately, Natarajan wasn’t fully fit after returning from injury—he remained injured for most of the season, which is why he didn’t play,” said Badani.
In Natarajan’s absence, the Capitals relied on the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar, and Dushmantha Chameera. Mustafizur Rahman was also brought in as a late replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav emerged as the team’s highest wicket-taker, claiming 15 wickets.
IPL 2025: Led by Axar Patel, Delhi Capitals finished fifth on the points table and missed out on a playoff spot. They won seven out of their 14 matches, lost six, and one match ended with no result.
