The deal cuts the purse by Rs 4.6 crore, which leaves Sunrisers Hyderabad with Rs 24.00 crore for the December auction. Delhi Capitals gain Rs 10.35 crore, because they paid Rs 10.75 crore for the bowler in 2025 and now receive the leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari at Rs 40 lakh. The left-armer arrives at a revised Rs 5 crore. Sunrisers chose a familiar pace option, but his recent returns have been mixed. That leaves less room to chase another high-profile bowler on auction day.
Terms of the Swap With Delhi
The trade is dated 14 October 2026. Natarajan moves to Hyderabad at a revised Rs 5 crore, and Delhi had paid Rs 10.75 crore for him at the 2025 auction. Leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari goes the other way for Rs 40 lakh.
The arithmetic is straightforward. Hyderabad pays Rs 5 crore and releases Ansari for Rs 40 lakh, which leaves the purse Rs 4.6 crore lighter. Delhi saves Rs 10.75 crore on Natarajan and pays Rs 40 lakh for Ansari, a net gain of Rs 10.35 crore.
IPL 2027 SRH Natarajan trade purse
Before the deal, Hyderabad held Rs 28.60 crore, and afterwards Rs 24.00 crore. Delhi moved from Rs 21.80 crore to Rs 32.15 crore, a very large jump that changes their auction approach. The swing between the two sides is Rs 14.95 crore, a large figure in a market where a single signing can cost half of it. For Hyderabad, every remaining rupee now carries more weight.
A smaller purse reduces room for a second major bid in Goa. Hyderabad carries heavy commitments on Klaasen at Rs 23 crore, Cummins at Rs 18 crore, and Abhishek and Head at Rs 14 crore each, so flexibility is limited. The retained core already accounts for the bulk of the money, which turns every extra purchase into a squeeze.
Franchise | Purse Before Trade | Change From Trade | Purse After Trade |
SRH (Sunrisers Hyderabad) | ₹28.60 crore | -₹4.60 crore | ₹24.00 crore |
Delhi Capitals | ₹21.80 crore | +₹10.35 crore | ₹32.15 crore |
Seasonal Numbers Tell a Fading Story
His Hyderabad years were productive, with 65 wickets in 55 matches between 2020 and 2024. His best seasons were 2022, with 18 wickets in 11 matches at an economy of 9.44, and 2024, which brought 19 wickets in 14 games. Through 2024, his economy never rose above 9.5 in any season, which is the record Hyderabad is banking on. That consistency explains why the franchise wanted him back.
The recent decline is stark. He played two matches in 2025 without a wicket, conceding at 16.33, then took five wickets in ten games during 2026 at about 11.18 to 11.45. Delhi got only 12 matches and five wickets from him across two seasons.
Season | Matches | Wickets | Economy |
2020 | 16 | 16 | 8.02-8.06 |
2021 | 2 | 2 | 8.62-8.63 |
2022 | 11 | 18 | 9.44 |
2023 | 12 | 10 | 9.11 |
2024 | 14 | 19 | 9.06-9.09 |
2025 | 2 | 0 | 16.33 |
2026 | 10 | 5 | 11.18-11.45 |
Pace Needs for the Auction
Hyderabad’s priority is to restock the bowling group, with fresh pace the main target. Natarajan covers the left-arm slot, but one signing does not complete the unit. A bowling group built around one left-arm option is rarely balanced, and Hyderabad knows it. That is why the auction, not this trade, will decide whether the unit improves.
Rs 24.00 crore must also fund cover in any area where the retained group falls short. The names of auction targets are unknown at this stage, so the pace hunt is still open. Limited cash will push the staff towards mid-priced bowlers.
Goa Timeline and Final Outlook
The auction is set for Goa in December 2026, probably during the second week, though the exact date is not fixed. Retentions are due by 15 November, and trade windows close one week before the auction. Any follow-up deal must therefore happen soon. Squad lists will take shape quickly once those retention names appear.
The IPL 2027 SRH Natarajan trade purse effect is a trade-off, since Hyderabad loses Rs 4.6 crore in flexibility and gains a bowler with 65 wickets for the franchise. The return on that spending will depend on whether his 2026 economy improves. If it does not, the money will be missed in the auction hall. Time will show whether this was a bargain.
Is Natarajan worth Rs 5 crore to Hyderabad, or should the money have stayed for the auction? Share your view in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did Sunrisers trade for Natarajan?
The franchise wanted extra pace and a left-arm choice in the attack. The club has given no reason in public, but the squad needs bowling cover before the December auction, and a proven bowler offers that.
What is Natarajan’s salary for the next season?
He will earn Rs 5 crore under the revised terms. Delhi paid Rs 10.75 crore for him at the 2025 auction, so the price has dropped by more than half.
Who did Delhi Capitals get in the trade?
Delhi got the leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari in return, at Rs 40 lakh. The deal also raised their purse by Rs 10.35 crore, taking it to Rs 32.15 crore.
When is the next IPL auction?
The auction takes place in Goa in December 2026. It is likely to fall in the second week, but the exact date has not yet been confirmed by the league.
How many wickets did Natarajan take for Sunrisers?
He took 65 wickets in 55 matches for the franchise between 2020 and 2024. Those numbers include an 18-wicket season in 2022, followed by 19 in 2024.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.