The Mumbai Indians have signed Lions fast bowler Kwena Maphaka for this year’s Indian Premier League.
Maphaka has replaced Sri Lankan fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka in Mumbai’s squad. Madushanka has been sidelined by injury.
The 17-year-old Maphaka was due to play for the Paarl Royals in the SA20 earlier this year, but instead represented South Africa at the Under-19 World Cup. He took 21 wickets – and was named Player of the Tournament.
More ‘distinction’ for Maphaka
“Maphaka has joined the squad and he has the distinction of being one of the youngest players – both domestic and overseas – to be a part of the IPL,” read a statement from the Mumbai Indians
“He is carrying forward the MI legacy of finding new and exciting talent who are developed into high-performance cricketers.
“The 17-year old has already represented South Africa A and South Africa Emerging teams. He will share the dressing room with two of the best bowlers in world cricket – bowling coach Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah – putting him on a path of learning, development and building on that knowledge.
“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 Under-19 team at 15 years old and has already played in two Under-19 World Cups.
“He is capable of touching speeds of 140 kilometres per hour and his death bowling and yorkers were a standout, too, at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year.
“He still is in his final year of high school. A talented all-round sportsman, Maphaka has also had success in tennis and hockey. He hails from the same school as Kagiso Rabada – St Stithians College.
“The Mumbai Indians have over the years garnered a reputation for finding gems that go on to be international and IPL stars. Since 2008, the Mumbai Indians have had young players signed for the team consistently.”
Maphaka and Mumbai in the IPL
This year’s IPL will start on Friday, when the Chennai Super Kings play the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Chennai are the joint most successful team in the history of the IPL with five titles. They are the reigning champions. Mumbai have also won five IPL titles.