T. Natarajan is returning to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) after a player trade with Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of IPL 2027 season. The trade, confirmed on October 14, 2026, also sees leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari transfer from SRH to Delhi Capitals.
Natarajan will join Hyderabad at a reduced fee of ₹5 crore, considerably lower than the ₹10.75 crore the Delhi Capitals paid to acquire him at the IPL 2025 player auction. Ansari will join DC at his current fee of ₹40 lakh.
Natarajan returns to the franchise, where he established himself as a durable left-handed fast bowler in the Indian Premier League.
T Natarajan returns to his former IPL team
Natarajan represented Sunrisers Hyderabad from 2020 to 2024 and was noted for his accurate yorkers and ability to bowl under pressure, especially in the death overs.
His best IPL season was 2024, when he took 19 wickets and was SRH’s leading wicket-taker that season. He helped the team make it to the final and his performance solidified his status as an important Indian pace-bowling option.
Delhi Capitals signed Tamil Nadu bowler for ₹10.75 crore at the IPL 2025 auction with the idea that his experience would improve their pace attack. But his stint with Delhi failed to deliver the desired results, and returning to Hyderabad is a major squad shift for next season.
The ₹5 Crore Deal.
The revised fee of ₹5 crore is a major reduction from the ₹10.75 crore Delhi Capitals paid for Natarajan in 2025.
The trade will bring back a bowler familiar with the conditions of SRH as a bowler who has experienced the team, the coaching setup, and the team environment of the franchise. His experience in high-pressure overs will be valuable as Hyderabad prepares for IPL 2027.
Natarajan will be able to regain momentum with a franchise he has previously succeeded with.
The trade also illustrates how IPL teams change their squad based on performance, team balance, and financial considerations before an auction.
Orange Army, our Nattu is coming home 😍🧡 https://t.co/686K713QUf
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) October 14, 2026
Ready to write a new chapter in 💙❤️ Welcome to Dilli, Zee 🐅🫶 https://t.co/aKJIbWQ2O9
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) October 14, 2026
Zeeshan Ansari Joins Delhi Capitals
The deal also sends Zeeshan Ansari to Delhi Capitals. The leg-spinner made his IPL debut for SRH in 2025 and played 10 games, taking six wickets.
Ansari made an immediate impact on debut against Delhi Capitals and he took three wickets. His ability to provide a spin option gives DC additional flexibility as they build their bowling attack for the upcoming season.
He will join Delhi at his current contract fee of ₹40 lakh, making the transaction a two-player squad adjustment between the franchises.
What the trade will mean to the IPL 2027?
The exchange gives both teams an opportunity to address different squad needs. SRH retains an experienced left-arm pacer while DC adds a young leg-spinner to their bowling inventory.
Natarajan’s ability to perform will depend on his fitness, consistency, and ability to perform in high-pressure situations. Ansari will have to make the most of his chance with a new franchise.
As teams prepare for IPL 2027, this trade is one of the early signs that teams are also actively preparing for the next auction.
Comments
Leave a Comment