T Natarajan has been part of several important moments in the Indian Premier League (IPL), establishing himself as a reliable left-arm pacer capable of delivering under pressure. However, his recent seasons have not gone as planned, and the experienced bowler is now set for a fresh start ahead of the 2027 edition.
With franchises beginning to shape their squads for the upcoming season, a significant development involving Natarajan has brought his IPL journey back into focus. The move also presents an opportunity for another young Indian bowler to take on a new challenge as teams look to strengthen their respective bowling attacks.
T Natarajan’s IPL journey takes a new turn
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have brought Natarajan back into their setup ahead of IPL 2027 after completing a player trade with Delhi Capitals (DC). As part of the deal, leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari will move in the opposite direction and join the Capitals. Delhi had acquired Natarajan for INR 10.75 crore at the IPL 2025 player auction. However, the pacer managed five wickets in 12 matches for the franchise across two seasons. He will now join Sunrisers at a revised fee of INR 5 crore, while Ansari will retain his existing fee of INR 40 lakh.
The trade allows both franchises to adjust their bowling combinations ahead of the new season, with Sunrisers bringing back a familiar face and Delhi adding another spin option to their squad. Natarajan began his IPL career with the Punjab franchise in 2017 before moving to Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of the 2018 season for INR 40 lakh. An injury kept him out of action in 2018, and he did not feature in a match the following year either.
SRH bought back the left-arm seamer ahead of IPL 2022 for INR 4 crore, and he gradually established himself as a key part of their bowling attack. His standout campaign came in 2024, when he claimed 19 wickets to finish as Sunrisers’ leading wicket-taker for the season. Natarajan played a key role in the team’s run to the final, producing important performances throughout the tournament. Across his IPL career, the pacer has featured in 73 matches and taken 72 wickets at an average of 32.97 and an economy rate of 9.21.
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Zeeshan Ansari gets an opportunity with Delhi Capitals
Zeeshan Ansari made his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2025 and made an immediate impact against Delhi Capitals, claiming three wickets in his first match. The 26-year-old Uttar Pradesh leg-spinner finished his debut season with six wickets in 10 matches, showing promise in his first campaign. Although SRH retained him ahead of IPL 2026, Ansari did not feature in a match that season.
He will now join Delhi Capitals at his existing fee of INR 40 lakh, where he will look to earn regular opportunities and establish himself in the playing XI. The Capitals have also brought Rishabh Pant back to the franchise after trading Kuldeep Yadav to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the wicketkeeper-batter ahead of IPL 2027. Ansari’s arrival adds another spin option to Delhi’s squad as the franchise continues to reshape its lineup for the upcoming season.
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