Delhi Capitals' IPL 2025 Journey: Natarajan's Injury and Team Performance

Delhi Capitals Conclude IPL 2025 Season

The Delhi Capitals wrapped up their IPL 2025 season in fifth place, accumulating a total of 15 points. This outcome left many fans frustrated, particularly due to the absence of fast bowler T Natarajan throughout most of the tournament.

Under the leadership of Axar Patel, the team started strong, winning 6 of their first 8 matches, positioning themselves as serious contenders for a top-two finish. However, their performance took a downturn in the latter half of the season, managing to secure only one additional victory.

T Natarajan's Limited Participation Raises Eyebrows

Acquired for ₹10.75 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction, T Natarajan's limited involvement—playing just one match—sparked questions from fans and analysts regarding the decision-making behind not utilizing such a high-value player more frequently.

Coach Hemang Badani Clarifies Natarajan's Absence

In an effort to clarify the situation, Delhi Capitals' coach Hemang Badani addressed the issue while commentating for the TNPL. He explained that Natarajan's absence was due to an injury rather than a strategic decision to bench him. Badani, who hails from Tamil Nadu, noted that Natarajan was in recovery and could not regain match fitness in time, leading the team to prioritize his health.

Coach Hemang Badani stated:

"Why would we spend ₹11 crore on a player and bench him? We bought him specifically for the middle and end overs. Unfortunately, Natarajan wasn’t fully fit after returning from injury and remained sidelined throughout the season, which is why he didn’t play."

Impact of Injuries on Natarajan's Career

Natarajan's injury struggles have also affected his first-class cricket career. He gained national acclaim during India's historic Test series victory in Australia in 2021. However, he has not participated in any first-class matches since then. Natarajan revealed that his knee injuries have intensified due to the physical demands of the game, prompting him to step back from Test cricket. While he still has a passion for red-ball cricket, he is currently focusing on formats that are less taxing on his body.