Delhi capitals have united Jake Fraser-McGurk as a replacement for Lungi Ngidi, the Indian Premier League (IPL) confirmed on Friday (March 15). The South Africa fast bowler has been ruled out of the upcoming IPL season due to injury. Ngidi has not played a competitive match since February 2.
His last appearance was in the second edition of SA20 where he plied his trade for Paarl Royals. Ngidi suffered an ankle injury during the home series against India in December-January. He missed the T20Is against India before returning to action in the Tests.
With Ngidi sidelined, the Delhi Capitals have roped in highly-rated Australian batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk. The right-handed batsman had registered for the auction but could not attract a single bid. After the snub in the IPL auction, he impressed with the bat in the Big Bash League, international cricket and the ILT20.
“Delhi Capitals (DC) have named all-rounder Jake Fraser-McGurk as replacement for Lungisani Ngidi for the upcoming edition of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
“Ngidi, who has played 14 IPL matches and has 25 wickets to his name, has been ruled out of TATA IPL 2024 due to injury. Jake Fraser-McGurk has played 2 ODIs for Australia. He joins DC for his reserve price of INR 50 Lac.” stated the IPL press release.
Jake Fraser-McGurk joins Delhi Capitals:
Last year, Jake Fraser-McGurk hit the headlines after breaking AB de Villiers’ record for the fastest century in a List A game. He smashed a 29-ball hundred against Tasmania at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide in October. The youngster eventually scored 125 runs off just 38 balls with the help of ten fours and 13 sixes.
He also enjoyed a productive outing in the Big Bash League while playing for Melbourne Renegades. The young batsman finished the tournament as the team’s leading run-scorer. He scored 257 runs at a strike rate of almost 160. This was followed by an impressive season in the ILT20, where he played for Dubai Capitals. By the way, Dubai Capitals is owned by Delhi Capitals.
Impressive displays saw him make his ODI debut earlier this year and it didn’t take him long to impress. After managing just 10 runs on his debut, he scored 41 off just 18 balls with five fours and three sixes. in his second outing as Australia chased down 87 in seven overs.
Meanwhile, Ngidi is the second player Delhi Capitals have lost ahead of. IPL 2024. Earlier this week, England star Harry Brook withdrew from the tournament for personal reasons. Talking about IPL 2024, the tournament is scheduled to be played from March 22. On the other hand, Delhi Capitals will open their campaign on March 23 against Punjab Kings.