‘It was the loudest thing I had ever heard’: Fraser-McGurk recalls Dhoni’s entry

Jake Fraser-McGurk wasted little time making an impact in his debut IPL season, finishing with 330 runs at an impressive strike rate of 234.04 and an average of 36. The Australian opener quickly became known for his explosive hitting, earning widespread recognition for his ability to dominate bowlers from the outset.

While it was expected that Delhi Capitals could take a punt on the youngster, the franchise let the Australian opener go back to the auction, opting to not retain him. Ahead of the mega auction, all that the 22-year-old had to say was that he would be happy to return to the IPL. 

“I will be happy to just go to the IPL, let alone say that I want to go here or there. I don’t think anyone gets a choice, I will be happy to be in the tournament,” Fraser-McGurk told ‘The Unplayable Podcast’. 

When asked about his most memorable moment from the IPL season, the 22-year-old recalled the clash between Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings in Vishakapatnam, when the crowd went ballistic welcoming a 42-year-old MS Dhoni. In that clash, Dhoni smashed a 16-ball 37 to leave the crowd totally entertained. 

“It is so hard, there are so many good moments. The atmosphere they bring, it is almost like a grand final every game. You get a single, they cheer you like you have hit a massive six. The best thing I saw was Delhi had a home game against Chennai; it was in Vizag; we had a home game there,” Fraser-McGurk recalled. 

“I’m thinking that everyone from Delhi is going to turn out with blue jerseys everywhere. The crowd was fully yellow, with Dhoni's No.7 jersey all around. All the flags were yellow. When Dhoni came out, it was the loudest thing I had ever heard. I was closing my ears because it was hurting my head. It was amazing; that would be the stand-out thing apart from my performance.

“He got 40 off, not many [37 off 16], so he just went out there and started booming everywhere. The first ball he hit for a six, and it was louder than when he walked in. The whole little 30-minute period was one of the loudest noises that I have ever heard. I couldn’t believe that it was for one guy that all of India just dropped on their knees for, that is, MS Dhoni. To see it in person is truly surreal.”

The best of the South Australian batter, however, came in the home clash against Mumbai Indians, a game that has ever since been fondly remembered for his heroic dash. In a high-scoring thriller, McGurk got himself 84 runs off just 27 deliveries, completing his half-century in just 15 balls. 

“Against Mumbai, I think it was 85 off 26 balls (84 off 27), I really enjoyed that. I hyped myself for that game, it was Mumbai and Bumrah. They had superstars, and it was a day game in Delhi as well. I was getting myself pumped for the game,” he recalled.

“We were batting first, and it was 48 degrees, and I was batting in full sleeves, I was sweating. To get those runs against a team and a bowling attack like that, I can’t forget it, and I still keep watching that knock. I actually watch those highlights every time,” he stated. 

Fraser-McGurk held no hostage in that clash, smashing Luke Wood for a first ball boundary to kick off the run carnage. Facing Jasprit Bumrah for the first time, the Australian opener smashed him for a six, followed by a four the very next ball, to raise the spirits of the Delhi crowd. 

“It was the first time I faced Bumrah, and I think he bowled me an off-cutter, I think I hit it for six. I’ve just hit Bumrah for a six, and the next ball was a free hit, it was a dream start, how good is this? I think I got the second ball for a four as well, I thought, let’s keep going, why not? When you are in that frame of let’s keep going on, you forget whose bowling. When you focus on the ball, you forget who is bowling. That over was a highlight,” he said. 

Though released by the Capitals, Fraser-McGurk’s impressive debut season means he is likely to attract significant attention at the upcoming mega auction. With Dhoni still playing, the young Australian may once again find himself in awe of the legendary captain’s reception — this time potentially on the same side.

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