Lungi Ngidi ruled out of Ind T20 League 2024

Delhi have signed young Australian sensation Jake Fraser McGurk for the forthcoming edition of the Indian T20 League. He will replace SA quickie Lungi Ngidi who has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Ngidi was last seen in the second season of the SA20 League where he represented Paarl Royals and has been out of action since February 2 when he played against Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC). Meanwhile, Delhi has acquired the services of McGurk for his reserve price of INR 50 Lakh. 

Jake Fraser Mcgurk is seen as a promising youngster who has been praised and backed by legends like Ricky Ponting. He spoke highly of the 21 year old after his stellar show in the Aus T20 League earlier this year. Moreover, Ponting had also labelled Mcgurk as the future Test player stating that the dasher reminds him of young David Warner. Ponting is also the head coach of Delhi which makes it apparent that he has a significant role in the franchise roping in the youngster. 

Mcgurk is recognised for his clean hitting and grabbed the headlines during the last season of Aus T20 League. He played for the Melbourne Renegades and amassed a staggering 257 runs in 8 innings at an average of 32.12 and a whopping strike rate of 158.64. He was also the leading run scorer for the men in red in what was a dismal season for them where they mustered only two wins in ten matches and consequently finished the season in seventh place.   

On the back of a splendid season, Jake also made his ODI debut for Australia against the West Indies. He scored 51 runs in two matches at a healthy strike rate of 221.72 living up to the reputation of being a clean hitter. It remains to be seen if he will make it to the playing XI at any instance this season with Delhi already having the likes of Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs, Jhye Richardson and Shai Hope in their line-up. Furthermore, Harry Brook has also withdrawn from the season and the franchise is yet to name a replacement for him.