Kwena Maphaka of South Africa. File
| Photo Credit: Getty Images
Mumbai Indians on Wednesday named uncapped South African medium-pacer Kwena Maphaka as injured Sri Lankan pacer Dilshan Madushanka’s substitute for the upcoming IPL season.
The 23-year-old Lankan pacer suffered a hamstring harm within the just-concluded ODI collection in Bangladesh, which the guests misplaced 1-2.
Madushanka was roped in by MI throughout the IPL Auction forward of the upcoming season for Rs 4.6 crore, having shone throughout the ODI World Cup final 12 months, claiming 21 wickets in 9 conferences.
Meanwhile, the 17-year-old Maphaka got here into the limelight after being adjudged the Player of the Tournament throughout the U19 World Cup at residence this 12 months, scalping 21 wickets at a mean of 9.71.
He is rated very extremely by Proteas legend Allan Donald.
Having performed for South Africa A and South Africa Emerging groups since final 12 months, he was roped in by Paarl Royals for SA20 2023-24 however didn’t get to play a recreation.
Maphaka’s T20 numbers learn 13 wickets in 9 video games at an economic system of 6.71, together with a four-wicket haul.
“Maphaka already is capable of generating serious pace and has a very mean bouncer that is known to hurry the batters up. He debuted for the South Africa U19 team at 15 & has already played in two U19 World Cups,” mentioned MI in a media launch.
“He is able to touching speeds of 140kph, and his loss of life bowling and yorkers had been a standout too on the U19 World Cup earlier this 12 months.
“He will share the dressing room with two of the best bowlers in world cricket – Lasith Malinga, bowling coach and Jasprit Bumrah putting him on a path of learning, development and building on that knowledge.”
MI performs its IPL 2024 opening match versus final season’s runner-up, Gujarat Titans, in Ahmedabad on March 24 below new skipper Hardik Pandya.
