From Barefoot Beginnings to the International Stage
T Natarajan’s journey began in Chinnappampatti, a small village in Tamil Nadu where cricket was played on open grounds with little infrastructure. He trained barefoot. Travel to matches depended on money he often didn’t have. There were days without proper food, proper shoes, or proper guidance.
Years later, he would represent India in all three formats and play in the IPL. But for Natarajan, reaching the top was never just about personal success. It was about remembering how close the dream had come to ending.
When Talent Has No Pathway
In many rural parts of India, sport is not seen as a secure future, especially for underprivileged families where financial stability takes priority. Talent may exist, but access, mentorship, and sustained support often do not.
Young players begin with enthusiasm, but without guidance and structure, many drift away from the game. Not because they lack ability, but because they lack backing. Natarajan knew that reality firsthand.
Building the Natarajan Cricket Academy
In 2017, he returned to his hometown and started the Natarajan Cricket Academy. The idea was simple: create a space where young players could train consistently, receive guidance, and stay in the system long enough to grow.
What began modestly has since trained over 720 young cricketers.
Several have represented Salem district teams across U-16, U-19, and U-23 categories. Ninety players have competed in Tamil Nadu Cricket Association city leagues. Three have progressed to the Tamil Nadu Premier League. For many of these players, this academy is their first structured exposure to competitive cricket.
More Than a Training Ground
The academy functions not only as a coaching centre, but as a support system. Parents who once hesitated to prioritise sport now engage actively. Coaches contribute their time. Local sponsors assist with tournaments and logistics. The village has gradually begun to see sport not as a distraction, but as a disciplined pursuit.
For Natarajan, this is not charity. It is responsibility. He understands how easily a dream can end when support disappears. The academy exists to make sure that young players are not forced to walk that path alone.
Strengthening the Future
The long-term goal is continuity through stronger facilities, structured development pathways, and a system that does not depend on one individual.
The aim is not only to produce elite cricketers, but to ensure that talent from small towns has the time and environment to develop fully.
Because for Natarajan, impact is not measured only in caps or contracts. It is measured in how many young players are still in the game.
In this episode of Force For Good Heroes, Brut follows the journey of T Natarajan - the hero from Chinnappampatti, who is turning his international success into a local legacy.
