Midway by means of the TNPL (Tamil Nadu Premier League) match between Lyca Kovai Kings and Dindigul Dragons on Sunday, the gang on the Salem Cricket Foundation floor went berserk, with loud cheers ringing throughout the venue.
The rousing reception was not for a boundary or a wicket however for the truth that the large display on the floor confirmed T. Natarajan strolling into the venue for his staff Ba11sy Trichy’s match later within the day in opposition to iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans.
Hailing from a small city in Salem district, Natarajan has put this city on the cricketing map along with his exploits within the IPL (Indian Premier League) and for India.
So, it was a momentous event for the followers on this a part of the State to see the son of the soil play in entrance of his house crowd for the primary time.
Salem joined the cricketing map final 12 months, internet hosting the TNPL in 2022, however the left-arm pacer missed out as he was recovering from a knee damage.
A small part of the gallery had followers from his city Chinnappampatti having fun with the sport in excessive spirits. Decked within the inexperienced jersey of the Trichy staff, followers had come ready with percussion devices, enjoying them constantly whereas a couple of others danced to their coronary heart’s content material.
Natarajan household watching TNPL in Salem.
| Photo Credit:
E. Lakshminarayanan
Coming from a humble background – his dad was a weaver whereas his mom ran a small meals stall of their hometown – Natarajan’s story is the traditional story of sport empowering not only one particular person or household however a neighborhood.
Two days in the past, the 32-year-old, who has had a couple of multi-crore offers within the IPL over the past six years, opened the Natarajan Cricket Ground to present alternatives to skills from this a part of the nation, one thing he by no means had whereas rising up the ladder.
Speaking to the host broadcaster, Natarajan’s mom, Shanta, mentioned, “I have never seen him play cricket in person before this. Even though I know nothing about the game, I see every game he plays till the end on television. Even his father had seen him play only locally, but this is the first time we are seeing him play on such a big stage.”
On the inauguration of the brand new facility, his father Thangarasu added, “In our hometown, we have only a few school grounds where he learnt the game. So, he wanted to ensure we have a proper ground so that many more can progress through the game.”
Natarajan made his First-Class debut for Tamil Nadu in 2014-15 however was instantly known as for suspect motion. His profession bought again on observe following a fruitful outing within the first 12 months of TNPL in 2016, resulting in his first IPL contract.
On a balmy Sunday night, life got here full circle for the boy from Chinnappampatti in Salem district, who performed his first match on house soil as India’s three hundredth Test cricketer in a event that modified his life’s fortunes.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com