T Natarajan was released from Tamil Nadu’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad after BCCI’s request. The board requested the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association to release the India left-arm pacer to keep him fresh for the white-ball series against England. India are set to play five T20Is and three ODIs against England from March 12, in Ahmedabad and Pune respectively.
The England series kickstarted cricket in India with a four-match Test series, which is currently ongoing. India lost the first Test in Chennai. The second Test will also be played at the same venue from February 13. Meanwhile, CSK CEO, Kasi Vishwanathan updated Cricbuzz about BCCI’s request.
We Have Released Natarajan: TNCA Secretary
“That is what we have heard. We have not got a request in writing but we understand that the team management wants him to get ready by practicing at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore. The secretary is looking into it. The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) will take the right decision”.
Later TNCA secretary S Ramasamy also confirmed the request. “The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the team management want him fresh. It is in the national interest and so we are ready to oblige,” the TNCA official said. “We had named a replacement should he be not available and that issue has been sorted out. We have released Natarajan.”
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Natarajan played one Test, one ODI and three Twenty20 Internationals in the recently-concluded tour of Australia.
Meanwhile, as per Cricbuzz, KL Rahul has also been included in the Indian Test squad but will only be available from the third Test. Natarajan played one Test, one ODI and three Twenty20 Internationals in the recently-concluded tour of Australia.
Team India is spoilt for choices for the second Test, despite having several players who are capable of playing the second Test which starts in two day’s time. After the loss in the first Test, India have dropped to number four in the WTC points table while England are currently sitting at the top. The winners of this Test series will play New Zealand in the final in June at Lord’s.
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