A week before the start of the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Delhi Capitals suffered another casualty, losing South African pacer Lungi Ngidi with a back injury. Earlier, English swashbuckling batter Harry Brook pulled out of the Capitals’ squad for personal reasons.
The Delhi Capitals on Friday announced Australian all-rounder Jake Fraser-McGurk as a replacement for Ngidi. Jake, who has played two ODIs for Australia will join the Capitals for his reserve price of Rs 50 lakh. The franchise, however, hasn’t yet named a replacement for Brook.
Ngidi has been on the sidelines since January after suffering a left lateral ankle sprain during the T20I series against India. He subsequently pulled out from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as well.
Ngidi’s absence leaves the Capitals with Anrich Nortje, Mukesh Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed, Jhye Richardson and Rasikh Salam in the fast-bowling department, while Mitchell Marsh is their fast-bowling allrounder. However, with Nortje awaiting the birth of his first child, the South African pacer is yet to join the Delhi Capitals’ squad.
Ngidi has so far played in 14 IPL games picking 25 wickets ever since he was first signed up by the Chennai Super Kings in 2018, and later bought by the Capitals in 2022.
As far as Jake Fraser-McGurk is concerned, the youngster has been touted as a potential all-format star by Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting. The 21-year-old was part of the Dubai Capitals squad in the ILT20 this season, and hit 109 runs in his three innings, with a best of 54.
Meanwhile, Brook, who was bought for Rs 4 crore, has also withdrawn from the IPL, citing personal reasons. The top order batter also pulled out of England’s recently completed Test series in India late January to be with his family, leaving the team during his team’s preparatory camp in the UAE.
“I was so excited to be picked by Delhi Capitals and was so looking forward to joining up with everyone. Whilst I don’t think I should need to share my personal reasons behind this decision, I know there will be many asking why. So I do want to share this. I lost my grandmother last month – she was a rock to me and I spent a huge amount of my childhood in her home; my attitude to life and love for cricket was shaped by her and my late grandfather,” Brook said.
“When at home, there would hardly be a day that didn’t include seeing her. It makes me so happy that she was able to see me play cricket for England. I’m proud that she could collect some of the awards I have won over the last couple of years when I couldn’t be there and I know she enjoyed doing that,” he added.