Natarajan Returns to SRH as Ansari Heads to Delhi Capitals

T Natarajan is set for a second stint at Sunrisers Hyderabad after the franchise secured the fast bowler in a trade with Delhi Capitals. Leg spinner Zeeshan Ansari moves in the opposite direction as part of the deal.

T Natarajan, who will turn 36 during IPL 2027, returns to SRH at a revised fee of ₹5 crore. Delhi Capitals, who had purchased him for ₹10.75 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction, will see ₹10.35 crore added to their purse, while SRH will have ₹4.6 crore deducted. Ansari joins DC at his existing fee of ₹40 lakh.

A Homecoming Built on Death Bowling

Natarajan’s first spell at SRH spanned five seasons from 2020 to 2024, during which he claimed 65 wickets in 55 innings at an economy of 8.82. His most productive campaign came in 2024, when he took 19 wickets, the most by any SRH bowler that season, playing a pivotal role in the team’s run to the final. It was at SRH that he developed into an accomplished death bowler, a skillset built around pinpoint yorkers, deceptive slower balls and an effective bouncer. That form earned him four T20I caps for India.

Can’t wait to see you in 🧡 soon, Nattu 😍 https://t.co/MUmZ901zgu

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) October 14, 2026

Injuries have since interrupted his progress. He missed a major chunk of the 2025 season, and while he played ten matches for DC in 2026, he managed just five wickets at an economy of 11.18. Those numbers do little to reflect his underlying value, particularly for a franchise that knows his capabilities intimately.

Ansari’s Promise

Ansari, meanwhile, arrives at Delhi Capitals on the back of a promising debut season with SRH in IPL 2026. He played ten matches, picking up six wickets with best figures of 3 for 42. His economy of 9.84 was not a standout, but he showed enough through the campaign to suggest he can develop into a useful option for his new employers.

The trade marks Delhi Capitals’ second significant piece of business ahead of the IPL retention deadline on November 15. In June, the franchise agreed to trade Kuldeep Yadav to Lucknow Super Giants in exchange for Rishabh Pant, who had become the most expensive buy in tournament history when he was signed for ₹27 crore at the mega auction before IPL 2025. Pant agreed to move to DC for a revised fee of ₹15 crore, while Kuldeep was traded to LSG for his current fee of ₹13.50 crore.

A teaser before Zeeshan enters the Territory 🔥😍 https://t.co/7Cnd803cjt

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) October 15, 2026

The IPL 2027 auction is scheduled to be held in Goa in mid-December, where both franchises will have the opportunity to further reshape their squads. For SRH, the return of a familiar face offers a measure of experience to their bowling attack. For DC, the acquisition of Ansari adds a young leg spin option to their roster, alongside the substantial financial flexibility gained from the trade.

                                               

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