New Delhi: Delhi Capitals pacer T Natarajan has revealed the physical and mental challenges he faced while recovering from a serious collarbone injury, stating that his return to competitive cricket was far from easy.

The experienced left-arm fast bowler, known for his pinpoint yorkers in the death overs, has made a strong comeback in IPL 2026 after a difficult previous season where injuries limited his appearances. Now, he is playing a crucial role in Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack and looks to have regained both rhythm and confidence.

Tough phase after collarbone injury

Natarajan said the injury phase tested him significantly, not just physically but mentally as well. Having featured in only two matches last season, the 35-year-old had to endure a long period away from the game.

“Last year, I had a collarbone injury and it was a difficult phase for me. The team management, support staff and coaches kept motivating me and guided me on the training I needed,” he said ahead of Delhi Capitals’ match against Chennai Super Kings.

The pacer credited the constant encouragement from the team environment for helping him stay focused during rehabilitation.

Intensive training and recovery journey

Determined to make a strong comeback, Natarajan underwent extensive training across multiple locations, including Delhi, Surat, Hyderabad and Dubai. These training camps played a key role in helping him regain his bowling rhythm and rebuild confidence.

“Coming back after injury is never easy, both mentally and physically. Every time I was doing well, unfortunately an injury came in the way,” he admitted.

Over the past six to seven months, he has worked rigorously on his fitness and bowling techniques, focusing particularly on regaining his trademark yorkers.

Unique practice methods pay off

Natarajan revealed that he adopted a mix of traditional and unconventional training methods to sharpen his skills. He practised extensively with tennis balls, weighted balls and the red ball to improve execution and control.

Having grown up playing tennis-ball cricket, he believes it played a significant role in his development as a bowler.

“I have played tennis-ball cricket since childhood and that has helped me a lot. To improve my execution, I practised with tennis balls, weighted balls and red balls,” he explained.

He also sought advice from seasoned India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who suggested using the red ball to improve length control — a tip that proved valuable in his comeback journey.

Strong return in IPL 2026

Natarajan has already made an impact in IPL 2026, picking up three wickets against Lucknow Super Giants in Delhi Capitals’ opening match. His performance under pressure in the death overs has once again highlighted his importance to the team.

Delhi Capitals showed faith in his abilities by retaining him for ₹10.75 crore, underlining his value as a specialist bowler in crunch situations.

His improved fitness levels and consistent execution have made him a key figure in the team’s bowling unit this season.

Adapting to modern-day cricket

Reflecting on the evolution of the game, Natarajan acknowledged that modern-day batters are better prepared and more strategic, making the bowler’s job tougher.

“Cricket has changed a lot and batters are much smarter now. They prepare very well and plan against bowlers,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of having clear plans while bowling, especially in high-pressure situations.

“For me, clarity of plans is the most important thing. I need to know what I want to execute in every situation. Even if I get hit, if my plans are clear, I back myself to deliver,” he added.

Conclusion

T Natarajan’s journey back from injury is a testament to resilience, discipline and mental strength. From battling a challenging phase to rediscovering his rhythm, the pacer has shown determination to return stronger.

As IPL 2026 progresses, his form will be crucial for Delhi Capitals, especially in tight matches where his death-over expertise can make the difference. With renewed confidence and refined skills, Natarajan appears well on track to re-establish himself as one of the most reliable bowlers in the league.