Credit: X
Former Australia wicket-keeper batter Adam Gilchrist believes Jake Fraser-McGurk will be required to deliver exceptional knocks to his team Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. McGurk has been out of rhythm recently with his bat. In the two-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, the right-handed batter could score only 11 runs for Australia. Earlier in October 2024, McGurk was snapped up by Delhi for INR 9.5 crore at the IPL 2025 auction held in Jeddah.
The Aussie’s stupendous IPL 2024 performance for Delhi helped him get the lucrative contract at the business event. Appearing in nine matches, he scored 330 runs at a formidable strike rate of 234.04. Delhi used the RTM card to secure McGurk’s services for IPL 2025. Gilchrist feels McGurk will be required to be solid with his bat in initial IPL 2025 games, otherwise the DC team management might drop him from their playing XI. The Aussie legend also believes team managements in the distinguished league aren’t known for being patient with non-performing players.
"They (Delhi) have shown great faith in keeping him at the franchise. It's important he starts well. What I do know of the IPL typically is that franchises and owners and coaches, don't tolerate a lack of results for too long. If you start a tournament well, that buys you time to get deeper into it and feel comfortable, but Jake's aware that he'll need to fire from the start to make sure he can establish a strong tournament for himself and for his team," remarked Gilchrist in an interview with Fox Cricket.
McGurk might be very effective on Delhi's surface, feels Gilchrist
Gilchrist also said McGurk might wreak havoc on bowlers for DC by utilising Arun Jaitley Stadium’s flat turf and short boundaries if he doesn’t attack opponents in a haste. "The wicket that he batted on was extraordinarily high-scoring last year. All the offerings will be there. It's up to him now to keep a level head on those opportunities. I think he's as level-headed as anyone, but just keeps a balance to execute his skills really well without getting too far ahead of himself. Like everyone, I'm always excited watching him play, just fingers crossed he can play long innings," said Gilchrist.
Delhi will begin their campaign against Lucknow Supers Giants (LSG) in Visakhapatnam on March 24. Under Axar Patel’s captaincy, DC will look to produce their best IPL performance and lift the coveted trophy. Back in 2020, Delhi made it to the finals against Mumbai Indians (MI) in Dubai, but fell one step short after facing a five-wicket defeat.
