Ricky Ponting's brutal David Warner statement amid latest Fraser-McGurk heroics in IPL

Ricky Ponting and the Capitals has made the brutal decision to leave David Warner out of the starting XI as young Aussie sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk took his place as opener. Warner may be the batter with the most runs for an overseas player in IPL history, but the 37-year-old has endured a brutal run of form having only amassed 37 across four innings.

And adding to the pressure, Fraser-McGurk has taken the IPL by storm. After his debut knock of 55 off 35 balls, the young Aussie hasn't looked back. The 22-year-old added another half-century in his second innings having blasted his half-century off 15 balls.

And having been moved up the order, in Warner's place, Fraser-McGurk took to the bowlers on Wednesday at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium. The 22-year-old took the opportunity and cracked two fours and two sixes in his 23 off his 14 balls.

He was eventually bowled out off quick Sandeep Warrier. Rishabh Pant, returning from a car accident injury, smashed an unbeaten 88 off 43 balls to help the Capitals post a formidable 4-224. Incredibly, the Titans were able to take the game to the last over. Unfortunately for the Titans, Rashid Khan's onslaught wasn't enough to take them over the line as they finished 8-220.

While the Capitals were thrilled with the win, Aussie fans are now coming around to Ponting's telling statement to leave Warner out of the team. There has been no statement Warner was injured ahead of the game. The long-time white-ball opener was seen as the opener to partner Travis Head or Mitchell Marsh at the T20 World Cup in a couple of months.

However, his form has dipped and he has subsequently appears to have been dropped by Ponting and the Capitals team. The emergence of Fraser-McGurk has plenty of Aussie cricket fans questioning whether Warner might not feature in Australia's best XI at the World Cup.

Marsh's injury does change the situation. Although with Head in form and Fraser-McGurk lighting up the IPL, Warner could find himself fighting for his position in the staring XI heading into the T20 World Cup hosted in the US and West Indies. Steve Smith could also be on the periphery if selectors opt to choose Fraser-McGurk.

Jake Fraser-McGurk in Aussie World Cup contention

The young 22-year-old showcased his skills earlier this year when he smashed 41 runs off 18 balls against the West Indies. And his current IPL form has plenty of fans calling for his inclusion in the World Cup squad. However, the youngster admitted he wasn't even thinking about the World Cup. And he was surprised when Capitals teammate Marsh mentioned the tournament during his time in India.fras

"Mitch Marsh was obviously with Delhi and he said we are going to Barbados and America and all that stuff," said Fraser-McGurk. "I was like, 'Are you playing there?' and he was like, 'No, the World Cup'.

"Obviously it's not on the forefront of my mind." Despite his form, Ponting admitted he wants to continue to work with the 22-year-old to develop his game. "So far he is not anywhere near the finished product yet," Ponting said the other day. "I would love to be able to spend more time with him one-on-one and work on his batting," he added. "I think he can be a three-format player for Australia."

Rashid Khan lights up IPL

Adelaide Strikers allrounder Khan nearly pulled off the stunning run-chase with the allrounder blasting 21 runs in the final overs. He hit boundaries off the first two balls, before smashing a six. The Gujarat Titans still fell short on 8-220, despite his onslaught at the end.

Star of the show for the Titans was impact player Sai Sudharsan. He blasted 65 runs, while David Miller hit a 21-ball half-century to keep the run chase alive.