DC Jake it up: Kuldeep Yadav and Jake Fraser-McGurk lead the Delhi Capitals to their second victory of the year

Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk made a splash with a brazen half-century on his IPL debut, after the Delhi Capitals’ inspiring six-wicket victory against the Lucknow Super Giants here today, thanks to some brilliant spin from Kuldeep Yadav.

After Kuldeep (3/20) starred with a three-wicket haul, Ayush Badoni (55 not out off 35 balls) hammered an explosive unbeaten half-century to help LSG rally to a reasonable 167/7.

With a partnership of 77 runs, Fraser-McGurk (55 off 35 balls) and captain Rishabh Pant (41) decisively defeated the hosts and sealed DC’s second victory of the season.

To get his maiden runs in the IPL, the 22-year-old Australian, who is renowned for his aggressive style, smacked a length ball from Yash Thakur over deep midwicket. In the following over, he backed it up with another six.

Prithvi Shaw (32) seemed to be in fine form, but Ravi Bishnoi quickly made an impact, eliminating the opener as DC dropped to 63/2. Fraser-McGurk was also having trouble finding the boundaries, so the LSG bowlers were able to control the visitors for a while.

In the 11th over, however, Pant sent the ball over Bishnoi’s head for a straight six, marking not only the IPL’s 3,000th run milestone but also DC’s first boundary in 29 deliveries.

The batsman-wicketkeeper showed off his old skills with some daring strokes, such as a reverse scoop off Marcus Stoinis.

Before, after missing three games because of a groin ache, Kuldeep returned to the team and claimed three wickets in his allotted four overs, allowing only 20 runs and no boundaries. KL Rahul (39), Marcus Stoinis (8), and the perilous Nicholas Pooran (0) were his victims.

Quick scores

DC: 170/4 in 18.1 overs (Fraser-McGurk 55, Pant 41, Bishnoi 2/25) against. LSG: 167/7 in 20 overs (Badoni 55*, Rahul 39; Kuldeep 3/20, Khaleel 2/41)

The outcome on Thursday

MI: 199/3 in 15.3 overs (Kishan 69, Suryakumar 52; Jacks 1/22) vs. RCB: 196/8 in 20 overs (du Plessis 61, Patidar 50, Karthik 53*; Bumrah 5/21)