Former head coach Ravi Shastri has hailed T. Natarajan as a death over specialist, saying the Indian team missed the left-arm pacer sorely during their unsuccessful campaign in the T20 World Cup in the UAE.

Natarajan, who came to limelight in India’s historic Test series win Down Under in early 2021, suffered a knee injury and missed most part of the year before making a comeback in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s second match of IPL-15 here on Monday.

“Very happy for him. We missed him in the World Cup. He would’ve been a certainty had he been fit,” Shastri said on ESPNCricinfo.

India had made a heartbreaking group stage exit in the T20 World Cup in 2021. “He got injured against England when we were playing the ODI series and we really missed him (in the World Cup).

“He’s that specialist death bowler, bowls those yorkers very skilfully. He’s got great control.

“He is skiddy. A bit quicker than you think and hits the bat,” Shastri said.

The 31-year-old, who was bought by Sunrisers for Rs 4 crore, made a fine comeback after 12 months, picking 2 for 26 from his full quota of four overs, even as they suffered their second defeat on the trot with a 12-run loss.

Shastri was the head coach when the left-arm pacer made his debut for India across the three formats in their memorable 2020-21 tour to Australia. He said Natarajan was a lucky charm for them.

“Every game I’ve picked him we’ve won. In his debut in T20, India won. In his debut in Test cricket, India won. From a net bowler, he played those other two formats,” Shastri said.

Sunrisers will next face defending champions Chennai Super Kings on April 9.