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IND vs AUS: Natarajan makes classy entry to ODI! That IPL star is now the star of Indian cricket!

By alagu, 02 December, 2020
India, Australia, Cricket

In his first capped match as 'man in blue', Indian pacer Natarajan has put tons of hope to his cricketing career as he has picked his first One-Day International (ODI) wicket against Australia on Australian soil on Wednesday, which has become a significant moment to watch for despite win or loss against the Aussies. 

Kohli led men in blue is in the Australian tour for ODIs, T20s, and Tests. The ODI had opened the tour and in the three-match series, the host had already won two consecutive matches and won the series. On Wednesday, both the teams had met for the third match in Canberra. India won the toss and chose to bat first. 

The men in blue had put 302 runs for 50 overs by losing five wickets. With the splendid performances from Hardik Pandya (92 runs), Ravindra Jadeja (66 runs), and Virat Kohli (63 runs), India had crossed 300 runs and gave the host the target of 303 runs. It was the first ODI match for Natarajan and he was put up in the bowling line up to apply brakes for the host in chasing the target. 

Debutant Natarajan had a hopeful breakthrough in his first capped match as he had picked his first ODI wicket after dismissing Australia's Marcus Labuschagne. Natarajan had dismissed the batsman in the sixth over. Before the start of the match, Natarajan had received his first ODI cap (cap number 232) from captain Virat Kohli. 

Natarajan's induction had come at the right time when Team India was pushed to fix the bowling line-up after losing the two consecutive matches and the series to the host. Australia had blown the visitors off the series with the brilliant and unbeaten smashes with Australia's Steve Smith scoring two centuries in two matches. The host had put massive scores on board making India suffer the chase. 

India's tenacious run chase in the two matches had gone vain after the Aussie bowlers had staunchly blocked the Indian batsmen in the chase. After losing the series, Virat Kohli admitted that the Indian players were ineffective with the ball. When Saini gave up more runs in the second match, it was speculated that he would be replaced with Shardul Thakur or Natarajan. Kohli has decided to give the ticket to Natarajan through which one of the young IPL star players had made his debut to the ODIs. 

With the first ODI cap, Natarajan has taken his first wicket. Following the achievement, the 29-year-old Natarajan, who is a native of Salem, Tamil Nadu and who is also nicknamed as 'Yorker Machine', has been on the rain of appreciations with many fans and users have been commending his maiden wicket and welcoming him to the team. BCCI took to Twitter and posted the picture of Natarajan after taking the wicket and the cricket controlling body said, "Welcome to International cricket Natarajan. A big wicket on debut". Natarajan's wicket has become the first wicket for India in the powerplay after six matches and by getting the maiden wicket, IPL star Natarajan has now become one of the glittering stars of Indian cricket. 

 

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