'We could see that he had the x-factor' - Pravin Amre lauds Jake Fraser-McGurk's impactful knock against LSG

Delhi Capitals (DC) got their IPL 2024 campaign back on track with a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Friday. After two successive losses left them reeling at the bottom of the table, the Capitals put in a dominant all-round performance to register their second win.

Courtesy for the win goes to debutant Jake Fraser-McGurk, who made an immediate impact with a brilliant knock of 55 off just 35 balls. Chasing 168 for victory, DC needed someone to take the game away from LSG early on, and the young Australian did just that, smashing two boundaries and five sixes in his innings.

"It was a tremendous innings from Jake, He was batting very well in the nets and we could see that he had the x-factor, he had that ability to strike the sixes. If you see his innings, he got five sixes and his first two scoring shots were sixes. That's what we want in this format. We were doing well in the last two games but were not crossing the line. That's why we wanted someone to have an impact on the game and I think he delivered," said DC assistant coach Pravin Amre in the post-match press conference as quoted by Cricbuzz.

"Jake is a top-order batter. We have Warner there and Shai Hope batted well for us in the first match (at No.3) and became injured after that. We knew he would get an opportunity and he got that today and grabbed it with both hands," he further added.

Also read: Who is Jake Fraser-McGurk?

Credit goes to our spin department: Pravin Amre

Amre also praised the performance of spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who was instrumental in restricting LSG to 167/7 with figures of 3/20. The coach identified Kuldeep's dismissal of dangerous batter Nicholas Pooran as a crucial moment in the game.

"The way Kuldeep bowled today and delivered a dream ball to Nicholas Pooran. He is a match-winning batter and getting him out was crucial to restrict them to 160 (167). Yes, Badoni scored a 31-ball fifty but that impact from 160 to 190, that margin was reduced (thanks to Kuldeep) and we controlled the game. I also think Axar [Patel's] role was important, and we were able to have a good period in the middle overs. They had a good powerplay and after that, we controlled the game. Credit goes to our spin department," said Amre.

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The win allowed DC to climb to the ninth position in the points table. For LSG, it was a disappointing result, but young batter Ayush Badoni provided a glimmer of hope with a fighting 55 not out off 35 balls.

Despite Badoni's efforts, DC chased down the target in 18.1 overs. The impressive performances from Fraser-McGurk and Kuldeep Yadav ensured that DC could bounce back from their earlier setbacks and register a much-needed win.