"He was found out as soon as he reached international cricket" - Aakash Chopra on Jake Fraser-McGurk as Delhi Capitals' potential problem in IPL 2025
Former player Aakash Chopra reckons Jake Fraser-McGurk could be a problem for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2025 if he fails to fire in the first few games. Chopra pointed out that the big-hitting Australian opener has been found wanting in international cricket since his explosive performances in IPL 2024.
The Capitals reacquired Fraser-McGurk for ₹9 crore at the IPL 2025 auction. Harry Brook (₹6.25 crore), Faf du Plessis (₹2 crore), and Donovan Ferreira (₹75 lakh) were their other three overseas batting picks at the auction.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener opined that the Delhi Capitals might have to replace Fraser-McGurk with Du Plessis as KL Rahul's opening partner if the Aussie doesn't deliver in the initial games of IPL 2025.
"What could be their potential problems? Jake Fraser-McGurk. We spoke about Sunil Narine yesterday that one season was excellent, but will it be as good now? He hasn't scored runs since then. The same is true for Jake Fraser-McGurk. If someone plays such high-risk cricket, he cannot be consistent," he said (6:45).
"He kept hitting while standing in his position (in the IPL), but he was found out as soon as he reached international cricket. If the first three or four matches don't go well, there is a good chance that you might find Fraser-McGurk sitting outside and Du Plessis opening with KL Rahul in the middle of the season. That is a strong possibility," Chopra added.
Fraser-McGurk smashed 330 runs at a strike rate of 234.04 in nine innings in IPL 2024. He hasn't enjoyed similar success for Australia, aggregating 113 runs at a paltry average of 16.14 in seven T20Is.
"Abishek Porel is a very young player and has limited IPL experience" - Aakash Chopra on the Delhi Capitals' inexperienced batting
![Abishek Porel was the only uncapped player retained by the Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. [P/C: iplt20.com]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/61376-17328601158630-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra chose the Delhi Capitals' inexperienced batting lineup as another of their potential concerns.
"Abishek Porel is a very young player and has limited IPL experience. Harry Brook does well at the international level. He scored a hundred here as well but was found out at the IPL level. The SunRisers Hyderabad moved him up and down the order but couldn't figure out what needed to be done with him. Delhi's flat pitch will suit him, but the question mark is still there," he said (7:45).
"Ashutosh Sharma, one season was excellent at the number he batted but a handful of games. If you see Sameer Rizvi, he didn't get a chance to do much for Chennai, played very few matches, but again the IPL experience. So you suddenly see Jake Fraser-McGurk, Harry Brook, Abishek Porel, Sameer Rizvi and Ashutosh Sharma - they have five players who have very limited IPL experience," the former KKR player added.
Chopra acknowledged how KL Rahul fares is a question mark but was confident about the wicketkeeper-batter doing well. He added that the lack of quality international overseas backups, barring Faf du Plessis, could be another potential issue for the Capitals.