Mumbai Indians have named their latest debutant, the recent U19 World Cup’s star bowler from South Africa, Kwena Maphaka who is set to make his debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where MI take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.
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Maphaka is only 17 years old and has become among the youngest players to have made their debuts in the IPL. The young left-arm quick bowler hails from Johannesburg, South Africa.
His most recent exploits include being the highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded ICC Under-19 World Cup 2023 where he finished with a tally of 21 wickets in just six games. This makes it the most wickets taken by a bowler in the tournament’s history.
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He can hit speeds of 140 kph and can bowl lethal yorkers in the death overs as well. The pacer who is still in high school, is a talented all-round sportsman with Maphaka also having success in tennis and hockey. He hails from the same school as Kagiso Rabada, St. Stithians.
The youngster will also have the company of fellow South Africans Gerald Coetzee and Dewald Brevis in the squad as he looks to make the most of this huge opportunity.
The quick bowler will become the second youngest player to have represented the franchise with the top spot being held by Rasikh Salam who was just a day younger at 17 years and 353 days when he made his debut against the Delhi Capitals in 2019.
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Overall, he becomes the third-youngest overseas player to make his debut behind the likes of Mujeeb ur Rahman who debuted with the Punjab Kings and Sandeep Lamichhane for the Delhi Capitals in 2018.
His first over of the tournament started shakily as he sent one down the leg side for a wide to start things off. His lengths were a bit jittery as he went short which allowed Travis Head to get the boundary to get off the mark by striking it towards the cover region.
Maphaka was roped in place of the injured Sri Lankan Dilshan Madushanka and will look to make the best use of the knowledge from experienced pacers like Jasprit Bumrah and the bowling coach, Lasith Malinga at the helm.
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