IPL 2027: T Natarajan Returns to SRH as Zeeshan Ansari Joins DC

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have brought back pacer T Natarajan from Delhi Capitals (DC) in the first player trade ahead of the IPL 2027 season. In the swap, DC will acquire SRH leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari.

Confirming the trade, the IPL said in a statement, "Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will welcome back T. Natarajan, while Delhi Capitals (DC) will add leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari to their squad following a player trade between the two franchises."

Natarajan returns to SRH after representing the franchise for five seasons from 2020 to 2024. The left-arm pacer enjoyed his best IPL season in 2024, taking 19 wickets to finish as the team’s leading wicket-taker and help SRH reach the final.

Delhi Capitals had acquired Natarajan for Rs 10.75 crore at the IPL 2025 Player Auction. He will now join SRH at a revised fee of Rs 5 crore.

During his two seasons with DC, Natarajan did not feature in a match in 2025. This year, he managed five wickets in 10 matches, averaging 71.20 and recording an economy rate of 11.18.

Across his IPL career, Natarajan has claimed 72 wickets in 73 matches for SRH, DC and Punjab Kings (PBKS). His record at SRH stands at 65 wickets in 55 matches, making him the franchise’s third-highest wicket-taker. Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads the list with 157 wickets, followed by Rashid Khan with 93.

Ansari, meanwhile, moves to DC after playing 10 matches for SRH in IPL 2025. The leg-spinner made an impressive debut against Delhi Capitals, picking up three wickets. The 26-year-old has taken six wickets in 10 IPL appearances and is expected to strengthen DC’s spin-bowling options.

Ansari will join Delhi Capitals at his existing fee of Rs 40 lakh.