Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has advised Delhi Capitals to drop out-of-form Jake Fraser-McGurk from their playing XI for the clash against Rajasthan Royals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Wednesday. Chopra feels if Faf du Plessis has recovered from injury, the South African can open the innings with in-form Karun Nair.
While Nair scored a blistering knock of 89 runs off just 40 balls in the last game against Mumbai Indians at Delhi, Jake Fraser-McGurk was dismissed for a golden duck.
The Australian batter has scored 46 runs in five matches of IPL 2025 at an average of 9.20 and a strike rate of 100.
“My biggest story for Delhi is that they should play Karun Nair in the XI. If Faf is fit, drop Jake Fraser-McGurk. Why am I saying that? It’s been slightly unfortunate that Faf got injured, and then he played a game and got injured again. It’s a problem for sure. As soon as he gets fit, you would want to play him,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“However, when you want to play him now, there is no place for Jake Fraser-McGurk alongside him. Play Karun Nair alongside him. Make him open. He almost opened in the last match. He came after the first ball off the first over. He is playing very well. So utilize that form and give him more opportunities. He is a proper batter who scores runs on the off-side and with timing,” he added.
The former KKR player reckons Delhi Capitals can play Dushmantha Chameera in place of Jake Fraser-McGurk and thus they can strengthen their pace battery.
“It unlocks a formula where you can play Dushmantha Chameera in the XI. You heard that right. No one knows what’s the scene of T Natarajan’s availability. I feel between Mukesh Kumar and Mohit Sharma in fast bowling, it’s an okay bowling attack. It is not a great bowling attack,” he said (10:00).
“Mitchell Starc is the leader, and he manages. Two spinners are good, and they do well, but there is a potential problem. So to prevent that potential problem, if T Natarajan isn’t there, if you play Karun Nair with Faf at the top and leave Jake Fraser-McGurk out, you can play two overseas fast bowlers. This seems like a better option to me,” Chopra elaborated.
DC will take on RR at Delhi on Wednesday.
