IPL 2025: Fraser-McGurk Describes Axar as a Friend Rather than a Captain
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Synopsis
Jake Fraser-McGurk of Delhi Capitals shared insights on his bond with captain Axar Patel, likening discussions with him to chatting with a close friend. Axar's leadership has propelled the team to second place in the IPL standings, showing his calm demeanor and ability to inspire players.
Key Takeaways
- Axar Patel is seen as a friend by his players.
- Delhi Capitals currently holds second place in the IPL.
- Fraser-McGurk is working on improving his batting performance.
- Players appreciate Axar's calm leadership style.
- The importance of staying level-headed in cricket.
New Delhi, April 26 (NationPress) Engaging in a dialogue with Axar Patel feels more like chatting with a close friend than interacting with a cricket team's captain, remarked Jake Fraser-McGurk, the opener for Delhi Capitals (DC). Axar has made an impressive debut as the skipper of DC, currently placing the team second in the points standings with six wins out of eight.
Although Fraser-McGurk has not seen action in DC's playing eleven due to a challenging form, he shared that conversations with Axar have offered him comfort. Axar is one of those leaders who inspires everyone, and his exceptional talent instills pride in all players at Delhi Capitals.
“He remains so calm and collected, even in tense moments. During a recent Super Over, he appeared unfazed and composed as if he had been in that situation countless times. We truly enjoy playing under Axar and consider him one of the finest players and leaders in our team,” Fraser-McGurk expressed in a pre-match press conference as DC prepared to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Sunday.
Reflecting on his performance, Fraser-McGurk has struggled to replicate his previous season's remarkable success, accumulating only 55 runs in six matches this year, with an average of 9.16 and a strike rate of 105.76. His only notable score was 38 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Visakhapatnam, with the rest being single-digit totals.
“I aspire to score more runs, but cricket can be unpredictable. I've experienced highs and lows during my IPL journey. Staying level-headed is crucial, regardless of performance,” he noted.
“My role as a batter is to give the team a solid start, but that doesn't mean I need to hit every ball out of the park. I am diligently working with my coaches and everyone around me to find ways to return to form,” he added.
Having also faced challenges in white-ball cricket and the Big Bash League (BBL), Fraser-McGurk admitted that maintaining composure during tough batting spells is not his strongest attribute. However, focusing on small improvements keeps him optimistic.
“It's evident; this year hasn't been great for me, but it's essential not to be overly focused on the results. Trusting the process and enhancing my strengths while addressing my weaknesses is vital for a turnaround,” he explained.
“T20 cricket can be unpredictable, and not every player will achieve a half-century off 20 balls every time. It's about navigating through rough patches and emerging stronger. Learning to maintain balance is something I've been working on,” he continued.
“It requires practice, but I aim to focus on professionalism in the gym and ensuring I’m ready for the next opportunity when called upon,” he elaborated.
When asked about the differences between coaching styles of Ricky Ponting and Hemang Badani, Fraser-McGurk felt that both create similar environments. “Ricky is one of Australia's greatest, and I have also worked with Hemang at Dubai Capitals, so I am familiar with both styles.”
“Hemang is an exceptional coach, supported by a talented staff, including Matthew Mott, our batting coach. The players are approachable, and the atmosphere is similar to when I played under Ricky. Both are remarkable individuals,” he concluded.
