IPL 2025: Revealed: Why T Natarajan didn’t play all games for Delhi Capitals

T Natarajan played only two games for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025.

T Natarajan was one of the most expensive players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Delhi Capitals (DC) acquired the services of the left-arm seamer for a whopping amount of INR 10.75 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction. He had a base price of INR 2 crore and became the team’s third costliest player after KL Rahul and Mitchell Starc.

However, DC kept him out of the playing XI for the major part of the tournament. T Natarajan played just two games in IPL 2025 against the Gujarat Titans (GT) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). He went wicketless in the clash against GT.

Notably, the encounter against SRH was washed out due to rain. Hence, Natarajan did not get a chance to bowl in the match. Interestingly, the left-arm seamer bowled just 18 deliveries in the tournament. Hence, DC’s decision to bench the pacer after picking him at a massive amount also raised many eyebrows.

Hemand Badani reveals why T Natarajan didn’t play all games for Delhi Capitals

Hemang Badani, who was the head coach of DC in IPL 2025, revealed why Natarajan didn’t play all the games in IPL 2025. During commentary in one of the games of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2025, Badani said that the pacer was not fully fit and remained injured throughout the season.

“Why would we spend 11 crore on a player & bench him? We bought him specifically for the middle & end overs – Unfortunately, Natarajan wasn’t fully fit after returning from injury – remained injured throughout the season, that’s why he didn’t play,” Badani said.

Meanwhile, Capitals utilised the services of Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar, and Dushmantha Chameera in the pace department during IPL 2025. Mustafizur Rahman was brought in as a temporary replacement towards the end of the tournament for Jake Fraser-McGurk. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav finished as the leading wicket-taker for the side with 15 wickets.

The Axar Patel-led side finished in the fifth spot in the points table in IPL 2025 and failed to qualify for the playoffs. Out of 14 matches, they won seven games and lost six matches. One match ended with no result.

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