Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has issued a stern warning to young cricketer Jake Fraser-McGurk ahead of the IPL 2025 season, emphasizing how unforgiving IPL franchises can be when players struggle with form. Despite a standout debut IPL season, Fraser-McGurk faces immense pressure to perform early this year, or he could find himself on the bench, according to Gilchrist.
Fraser-McGurk made a strong impression in his first IPL season, scoring 330 runs in nine innings with four fifties, finishing with a remarkable strike rate of 234.04—the second-highest in the tournament. However, despite this impressive start, the Delhi Capitals did not retain him and instead purchased him for Rs 9 crores via the ‘Right to Match’ card during the IPL 2025 auction.
The 22-year-old’s T20I form has seen a dip in the last 12 months, with just 382 runs in his last 24 matches at an average of 15.91 and a strike rate of 136.91. Gilchrist highlighted how crucial it is for Fraser-McGurk to hit the ground running in the tournament. “Delhi have shown great faith in keeping him at the franchise. It’s important he starts well,” Gilchrist said. “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 establish a strong tournament for himself and his team.”
Gilchrist, who has been watching Fraser-McGurk closely, also expressed confidence that the young batter could thrive on the flat surface and short boundaries of Arun Jaitley Stadium, a venue known for high-scoring games. “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,” Gilchrist said. He added that while Fraser-McGurk is “as level-headed as anyone,” the key would be maintaining balance and executing skills effectively without rushing things.
The IPL 2025 season is set to begin on Saturday, with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Delhi Capitals, featuring Fraser-McGurk, will begin their campaign against Lucknow Super Giants on March 24 at the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vishakhapatnam.
As Delhi Capitals prepares for IPL 2025, Fraser-McGurk’s form will be critical to their success. For more updates on DC’s IPL journey and expert betting tips, follow Cricket Betting Tips.
