IPL Shocker: Natarajan's $600K Pay Cut to Rejoin SRH, Ansari Traded to Delhi

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-15

The Indian Premier League never fails to deliver drama, even in the off-season. On October 14, 2026, the league confirmed a trade that sent shockwaves through the cricket world: T Natarajan is heading back to Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Zeeshan Ansari is packing his bags for Delhi Capitals. But this isn't just a simple swap—it's a financial masterstroke that could reshape both franchises. ### The Trade That Raised Eyebrows In a move that balances squads and budgets, SRH reacquired Natarajan for a revised fee of $600,000 (5 crore rupees), while Delhi Capitals picked up Ansari at his existing fee of $48,000 (40 lakh rupees). The retention deadline is set for November 15, 2026, so expect more moves soon. At first glance, it might seem like a straightforward exchange, but the financial implications are massive. Delhi originally bought Natarajan for $1.29 million (10.75 crore rupees) at the 2025 mega auction. By trading him away and bringing in Ansari, they've added a whopping $1.24 million (10.35 crore rupees) to their auction purse. Meanwhile, Natarajan accepted a 53.49% pay cut to return to his former team, and SRH absorbed a net purse deduction of $552,000 (4.6 crore rupees). > "This trade is a clear win for Delhi Capitals financially, but SRH gets a proven performer in Natarajan. It's a classic case of balancing immediate needs with long-term strategy." – Cricket analyst ### Natarajan's Homecoming: A Boost for SRH Natarajan, fondly known as 'Nattu', is no stranger to the SRH faithful. From 2020 to 2024, he was a key part of their bowling attack, known for his deadly yorkers and deceptive slower balls. In 55 innings, he took 65 wickets with an economy of 8.82. His best season came in 2024, where he was SRH's leading wicket-taker with 19 scalps in 14 matches, playing under Pat Cummins. However, his stint with Delhi was plagued by injuries. A fractured collarbone limited him to just two appearances in 2025, and although he played 10 matches in 2026, he managed only five wickets at an average of 71.20 and an economy of 11.18. Clearly, a fresh start back in Hyderabad could reignite his career. ### Ansari's Move: A New Spin for Delhi Zeeshan Ansari, a promising spinner, made his IPL debut for SRH in 2025 against Delhi, where he dismissed Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, and KL Rahul in a dream debut, finishing with 3 for 42. In his debut season, he played 10 matches, taking six wickets at an average of 55.50 and an economy of 9.84. Although he was retained for 2026, he didn't play a single game. But Ansari's domestic form is impressive. In the UP T20 League, he took 24 wickets in 2024 and 15 in 2025 for the Meerut Mavericks. He also grabbed 21 wickets in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy. Joining Axar Patel and Vipraj Nigam, Ansari adds depth to Delhi's spin attack. ### What This Means for the IPL 2027 Auction The trade window remains open until a week before the IPL 2027 mini-auction in Goa, scheduled for mid-December 2026. With Delhi's purse now significantly boosted, they could be major players in the auction. SRH, on the other hand, has invested in experience but will need to manage their remaining budget wisely. For fans, this trade is a reminder that the IPL is as much about strategy as it is about cricket. Will Natarajan rediscover his yorker magic? Can Ansari become Delhi's spin sensation? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: the 2027 season just got a lot more interesting.