'We believe in him' - DC coach Hemang Badani throws weight behind 'match-winner' Jake Fraser-McGurk

Coming off a thrilling Super Over win in their previous match, the Delhi Capitals will look to keep the momentum going when they take on the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, April 19. Delhi Capitals have won five and lost one of their six matches so far and are currently placed at the top of the points table with 10 points.

The head coach put his weight behind the young Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has been woefully out of form this season. “He is someone who gives us massive starts and someone who we believe is a match winner. Yes, the numbers this year haven’t been his best compared to last year but we as a side believe that he is someone who is likely to be a player who can always come good for us at any given time," he said.

“It also gives us the freedom to keep having him in the side because of our position at the moment with five wins in six games, it just gives us the cushion to have someone like him in the XI and if he fires it's happy days for us,” he added.

Meanwhile, reflecting on the team's performance so far, Delhi Capitals Head Coach Hemang Badani during the pre-match press conference said, "So far, we have had five good days, so sitting here, I am quite happy with the results that we have achieved. We are all happy, there is quite a bit of fun, banter, laughter in the side, we are all enjoying each other's company. It's very hot, but hope to have a good game tomorrow."

Asked about an update on Faf du Plessis’ availability for the game, Badani said, “I genuinely cannot give you anything with regards to team mix up, whether he is ready or not, we will have to wait and see tomorrow.”

Talking about wicket-keeper batter Abishek Porel’s performance so far, the coach said, “The very fact that we have retained him gives you a message that we value him, and the very fact that he features in all our games also tells you that he is somebody we think has a massive upside. He has already done well for us this year and as you would see that sides want to stack up with left-handers, right-handers, he adds massive value with him being a left-hander and even though KL keeps wickets, he has got great hands in the field as well.”

Meanwhile, the home side Gujarat Titans have won four and lost two in their six matches thus far, and are in the second place of the points table.