New Delhi: Delhi Capitals (DC) star Jake Fraser-McGurk was ‘shaken more than most’ overseas players and was not feeling good after his side’s clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala was called amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Fraser-McGurk’s childhood coach, Shannon Young, who was with him in Dharamshala, revealed the Aussie batter’s harrowing experience in Dharamshala.
The match between PBKS and DC in Dharamshala was called off after Pakistan attacked the Pathankot airbase in Pathankot, Punjab, which is less than 100km away from Dharamshala. Though the BCCI cited the reason as a technical failure. The players, crowd and all IPL-related staff were immediately evacuated from the stadium following a blackout.
The incident happened on May 08, and the BCCI decided to suspend IPL 2025 for a week on May 09. However, the league is now set to resume on Saturday, May 17, after a ceasefire was announced by India and Pakistan. However, McGurk has refused to return to India and has pulled out of the remainder of the season. His childhood coach Young explained why.
“Jake was shaken more than most overseas players in Dharamshala at that time. It’s not surprising (his decision to pull out of IPL 2025), given that he is the youngest of the overseas players in the DC setup. Moreover, he was quite uneasy the day before the game happened in Dharamshala, and then obviously after we were evacuated, we made the subsequent trip back to Delhi with others,” Young was quoted as saying by IANS.
“In all, he wasn’t feeling things in a good way, and I am very thankful I was there to help guide him through all of that. I mean, it was hard enough for a 50-year-old, well-travelled man like me, let alone a young kid. I was there in a support role of a player who is more like a son to me than a cricketer,” he added.
As per IANS, a few overseas players in both teams – DC and Punjab Kings, had expressed their reservations about playing the match in Dharamshala on May 08 amid the tensions between India and Pakistan. However, they were convinced by the IPL authorities to go ahead with the game. However, many were left fear-stricken after the game was abruptly called off following the news of the attack in Pathankot.
Delhi Capitals rope in Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement for Jake Fraser McGurk
Delhi Capitals on Wednesday confirmed the signing of Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement for Fraser McGurk, who has pulled out of the remainder of IPL 2025 due to personal reasons. Mustafizur was part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squad in the IPL 2024 last year and picked up 14 wickets in 9 matches for the five-time champions.
Delhi Capitals are also sweating over the availability of Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who might not return to India and pull out of the remaining season. DC are also yet to determine the status of the returns of the likes of Faf du Plessis and Tristan Stubbs on when they will be able to rejoin the franchise. DC will take on Gujarat Titans at home on May 18 on Sunday when IPL 2025 resumes.
A Delhi Capitals (DC) star has refused to return to India for the resumption of IPL 2025 after he was left ‘shaken’ and gripped by fear in Dharamshala after his side’s clash against Punjab Kings was called off abruptly last week. IPL Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
