'Watching it like a hawk' - Jake Fraser-McGurk reveals how he took inspiration from Virat Kohli after record ton

In a remarkable showcase of batting prowess, Australian cricketer Jake Fraser-McGurk etched his name in cricket history by achieving the fastest century in professional cricket. His explosive innings of 125 runs off a mere 38 balls during for South Australia during the Marsh One-Day Cup in October left cricket enthusiasts worldwide spellbound. The explosive batter has by far represented Australia under-19 and Cricket Australia XI.

In a recent interview, he unveiled a pivotal change in his approach, drawing inspiration from Indian cricket maestro Virat Kohli. He admitted to not having closely observed the ball in previous seasons. But by emulating Kohli's intense focus and eagle-eyed concentration, he aimed to spot the seam on the ball and react instinctively. This crucial adjustment in his batting technique proved to be a game-changer, resulting in his record-breaking century.

"The last few seasons, I've felt like, it sounds weird, but I haven't been actually watching the ball as hard as I can. You see players like Virat, whose eyes are really wide when he's facing up. He's watching it like a hawk, so I thought I could get something out of that and try to look for the seam on the ball, and then just reacting and backing my instincts," said Fraser-McGurk as quoted by Fox Sports.

Fraser McGurk’s ultimate goal is to represent Australia in whites

The 21-year-old showered admiration for Australia's World Cup 2023 hero Travis Head. By incorporating Head's dedication and distinctive style into his own game, the right-handed batter found success this season. His exceptional achievements have not only captivated cricket fans but also thrust him into the spotlight for potential IPL opportunities.

McGurk is set to play for Melbourne Renegades in the 2023-24 Big Bash League. A strong start with a couple of impressive innings could place the young Aussie on the radar of IPL franchises. However, despite the potential for a lucrative IPL contract, Fraser-McGurk remains focused on his ultimate aspiration: representing Australia in Test cricket.