Sunrisers Hyderabad Bring T Natarajan Back in Trade With Delhi Capitals Ahead of IPL 2027
Sunrisers Hyderabad have reunited with left-arm fast bowler T Natarajan after completing a player trade with Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2027 season. Leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari is heading in the opposite direction, joining the Capitals as part of the deal.
The move gives Hyderabad a familiar pace option with a proven record in its colours, while Delhi adds a young spinner who showed promise during his first IPL campaign. Natarajan’s revised fee will be INR 5 crore, down from the INR 10.75 crore Delhi paid to secure him at the 2025 player auction. Ansari will keep his existing contract fee of INR 40 lakh.
A Familiar Return for Sunrisers Hyderabad
Natarajan is no stranger to Sunrisers supporters. He represented the franchise from 2020 to 2024 and became an important part of its bowling attack, particularly in the death overs, where accurate yorkers and changes of pace can be decisive. His return offers Hyderabad a bowler with experience of the team’s environment and a record of delivering in high-pressure situations.
The fast bowler’s standout season for SRH came in 2024. He claimed 19 wickets, finishing as the team’s leading wicket-taker and helping Hyderabad reach the IPL final. That campaign reinforced his value as a specialist who can contribute across different stages of an innings, from controlling the scoring rate to taking wickets when batters are looking to accelerate.
Natarajan’s overall IPL record includes 73 appearances and 72 wickets, with an average of 32.97 and an economy rate of 9.21. Those figures reflect the demands of his role: fast bowlers asked to operate at the end of an innings often face attacking batters and challenging conditions. His ability to execute a plan under that pressure will be a key part of the cricket discussion around Hyderabad’s squad for 2027.
From Early Setbacks to a Key Role
Natarajan’s IPL journey has included several changes of fortune. He began his league career with the Punjab franchise in 2017 before moving to Sunrisers ahead of the 2018 season for INR 40 lakh. An injury kept him out of action that year, and he did not feature in the following season either, despite being retained by Hyderabad.
SRH brought him back into the playing group ahead of IPL 2022, paying INR 4 crore for his services. His later performances, especially the 2024 campaign, showed how far he had progressed from those early seasons. The latest trade therefore represents more than a roster adjustment: it returns an established Hyderabad performer to a franchise where he has previously enjoyed his strongest IPL results.
Delhi Capitals Add Zeeshan Ansari
Ansari’s move gives Delhi an opportunity to develop a leg-spinner who has already experienced the demands of the IPL. The 26-year-old from Uttar Pradesh played 10 matches for Sunrisers in his first season, in 2025, taking six wickets. He made an immediate impression on debut, claiming three wickets against the Capitals—a performance that now adds an interesting twist to the trade.
Sunrisers retained Ansari ahead of IPL 2026, but he did not play a match during that season. A change of team could provide him with a fresh opportunity to compete for regular selection and establish a role in Delhi’s bowling plans. His leg-spin offers a different style from Natarajan’s left-arm pace, giving the Capitals a potential option for match-ups against batters who are less comfortable against wrist-spin.
Ansari’s next challenge will be turning early promise into consistent contributions. In a long T20 competition, spinners are often asked to bowl in the middle overs, build pressure and break partnerships. If he can combine control with the ability to take wickets, he may become a useful part of Delhi’s squad rather than simply a developing prospect.
What the Trade Could Mean for IPL 2027
On paper, the exchange addresses different needs for the two franchises. Hyderabad regain a senior fast bowler with a strong history at the club, while Delhi bring in a younger spin option who could grow into a larger role. The difference in contract values also reflects the players’ recent positions: Natarajan arrives at a lower fee than the one Delhi originally paid, while Ansari remains on his existing INR 40 lakh deal.
For Sunrisers, Natarajan’s familiarity with the team and his previous success could help strengthen the pace unit. His experience may be especially valuable in close finishes, where execution and composure can matter as much as raw speed. However, his impact will depend on fitness, form and how Hyderabad balance their bowling resources across the season.
For Delhi, Ansari’s prospects will depend on the opportunities available in a competitive squad. His debut performance against the Capitals showed he can make an impact, but regular selection and consistent spells will be important measures of progress. The trade also gives Delhi a chance to assess how his skills fit the team’s plans across different grounds and match conditions.
Early Prediction: A Role-Specific Deal
Any prediction about the trade’s success is necessarily tentative before IPL 2027 begins. Natarajan’s past record with Hyderabad makes his return an encouraging move for the franchise, particularly if he can reproduce the accuracy and wicket-taking threat he displayed in 2024. Delhi’s return could prove valuable if Ansari develops into a dependable middle-overs option and earns a consistent place in the side.
Ultimately, this is a trade built around contrasting timelines and team requirements: Hyderabad are bringing back an experienced bowler who has already delivered for them, while Delhi are investing in a spinner with room to grow. How both players adapt to their new surroundings will determine whether the exchange becomes one of the more effective squad moves ahead of the next IPL season.
