Delhi Capitals (DC) have roped in Australian all-rounder Jake Fraser-McGurk as a replacement for Lungi Ngidi in the Indian Premier League starting on March 22.. Ngidi, the South African bowler, has been sidelined from the tournament due to a lower back injury.
Fraser-McGurk, who made his international debut last month, joins DC at his reserve price of Rs. 50 lakh.
The versatile 21-year-old, known for his right-handed batting and right-arm leg-break bowling, represents South Australia in domestic cricket and previously played for Delhi Capitals’ sister franchise, Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 league.
Fraser-McGurk grabbed eyeballs with his impressive performance in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2023-24, amassing 257 runs for Melbourne Renegades at a striking rate of 158.64. With a total of 536 BBL runs at a strike rate of 124.07, including two half-centuries, he emerged as a promising talent who can smack the ball to all parts of the ground.
Moreover, Fraser-McGurk set a new record in List A cricket by scoring the fastest century, surpassing AB de Villiers’ milestone. He achieved this feat in just 29 balls while playing for South Australia against Tasmania in a Marsh Cup match. His remarkable inning, embellished with 13 sixes, stands as the fastest century in professional cricket history.
On a somber note, Delhi Capitals will miss the presence of English batter Harry Brook in the IPL 2024 season. Brook has decided to withdraw from the tournament to mourn his grandmother’s demise and support his family. The Capitals are yet to announce a replacement for Brook.
However, there is bright hope for Delhi Capitals supporters as Rishabh Pant, the dynamic Indian wicketkeeper-batter and DC skipper, is poised to make his comeback to the team after completing an extensive 14-month rehabilitation and recovery period.