IPL 2024: ‘We could see he had the X-factor’ – Pravin Amre on Jack Fraser-McGurk

Delhi Capitals assistant coach Pravin Amre lauded Jack Fraser-McGurk after he grabbed his chance against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. While chasing 167, Fraser-McGurk scored a fine knock of 55 runs off just 35 balls to help his team win by six wickets.

The Australian was making his debut in the IPL but he was able to hit the ground running as he smashed two sixes. The 22-year-old took Krunal Pandya to the cleaners as he took him to three sixes.

The youngster scored two fours and five sixes in his blistering knock to help DC chase down the target with 11 balls to spare.

“It was a tremendous innings from Jake,” said Amre at the post match press conference on Friday (April 13). “He was batting very well in the nets and we could see that he had the x-factor, he had that ability to strike the sixes. If you see his innings, he got five sixes and his first two scoring shots were sixes. That’s what we want in this format. We were doing well in the last two games but were not crossing the line. That’s why we wanted someone to have an impact on the game and I think he delivered.

“Jake is a top-order batter. We have Warner there and Shai Hope batted well for us in the first match (at No.3) and became injured after that. We knew he would get an opportunity and he got that today and grabbed it with both hands. For any good talent it is important to show that in the middle and there is a lot of difference between doing well in the nets and performing in the match. And I’m very happy that the kind of batting that is required for this format, he showed just that.”

Amre also showered praise on Kuldeep Yadav, who bagged 3-20 in his quota of four overs. Kuldeep also bowled a jaffa to get rid of in-form Nicholas Poooran, bamboozling the left-hander with a wrong one.

“The way Kuldeep bowled today and delivered a dream ball to Nicholas Pooran…he is a match-winning batter and getting him out was crucial to restrict them to 160 (167). Yes, Badoni scored a 31-ball fifty but that impact from 160 to 190, that margin was reduced (thanks to Kuldeep) and we controlled the game. I also think Axar [Patel’s] role was important, and we were able to have a good period in the middle overs. They had a good powerplay and after that we controlled the game. Credit goes to our spin department,” said Amre.

Delhi Capitals will next take on Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Wednesday.