The Delhi Capitals (DC) camp has gone through a sudden change just before IPL 2025 resumes on May 17. Australian young batter Jake Fraser-McGurk has officially pulled out of the tournament, becoming the second overseas player after Jamie Overton (CSK) to exit this season. In response, DC has brought in a familiar face—Bangladesh’s pace star Mustafizur Rahman.
Mustafizur Rahman Replaces Jake Fraser-McGurk
DC has signed Mustafizur Rahman for INR 6 crore as a replacement. The left-arm fast bowler is no stranger to the team, having played for them in IPL 2022 and IPL 2023. Though he picked up just nine wickets across those two seasons, his experience and skill make him a valuable addition for the remainder of this year’s campaign.
It’s worth noting that due to new IPL rules, Mustafizur will not be eligible for retention for IPL 2026, even if he performs well in this short stint. These rules were recently updated to allow teams to make temporary replacements beyond the halfway mark of the season.
Fraser-McGurk’s Short and Struggling Season
The 23-year-old Fraser-McGurk was picked by DC for a whopping INR 9 crore during the mega auction. Expectations were high, but the young Aussie struggled to make an impact. He played the first six matches as an opener and could only manage 55 runs in total, with his highest score being just 38. Five out of his six outings ended in single-digit scores, eventually costing him a spot in the playing XI.
Despite his underwhelming performance, losing a big-money player like him at this stage is a blow to Delhi, especially with playoff hopes still alive.
Overseas Player Uncertainty Still Looms
To make things more challenging, DC is still waiting on availability confirmations from key overseas stars. The list includes Australia’s left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc and South Africa’s experienced players Faf du Plessis and Tristan Stubbs.
Stubbs is already part of South Africa’s squad for the upcoming ICC World Test Championship Final starting June 11 at Lord’s. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has made it clear that players involved in the WTC Final must stick to their original No Objection Certificates (NOCs), which allow them to play IPL only until May 25.
That means DC may be forced to play the crucial final stages of the tournament without some of their core international players.
DC’s Road Ahead
With playoffs still within reach, DC now hopes that the remaining squad members can hold strong. The arrival of Mustafizur brings some pace depth, but the uncertainty around other overseas players could make things difficult.
Fans will be keeping a close eye as the league resumes to see if DC can handle the pressure and make it to the playoffs in style, even with all the last-minute challenges.
Delhi Capitals are facing a tough situation as IPL 2025 restarts. Losing Fraser-McGurk and waiting on other key players isn’t ideal, but the team is hoping Mustafizur Rahman and the rest of the squad can step up when it matters the most. DC fans now have their fingers crossed for a strong finish.
Also Read: WTC Final 2025: South Africa and Australia Announce Squads for the Big Clash at Lord’s
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FAQs
Why did Jake Fraser-McGurk leave IPL 2025?
He opted out due to personal reasons after poor performances in the first half of the season.
Who has replaced Fraser-McGurk in the DC squad?
Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been signed for INR 6 crore.
Will Mustafizur be available for IPL 2026 retention?
No, new IPL rules do not allow temporary replacements to be retained next season.
Is Tristan Stubbs still available for DC?
Stubbs is part of South Africa’s WTC Final squad and may only be available till May 25.
What about Starc and Faf du Plessis?
Their availability is still uncertain for the remaining matches of IPL 2025.
