IPL 2024: MI rope in South Africa U19 prodigy Kwena Maphaka as Dilshan Madushanka's replacement

MI will play their first match in IPL 2024 against GT on Sunday in Ahmedabad.

Sri Lankan bowler Dilshan Madushanka, who suffered hamstring injury during the recently concluded ODI series against Bangladesh, has been ruled out of the IPL 2024. He was bought by Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL 2024 auction. Meanwhile, MI have roped in Kwena Maphaka as Madushanka’s replacement for the season. 17-year-old Maphaka played in U-19 World Cup 2022 and 2024 for South Africa.

MI had bought Madushanka for INR 4.6 crores in the IPL 2024 auction in December. He was impressive for Sri Lanka in the recent World Cup 2023 including a career-first fifer in ODIs against India in Mumbai. He stood a chance to play in the first XI as a powerplay specialist thanks to his ability to swing the ball both ways.

Mumbai have six more fast bowl specialists in their lineup, but Gerald Coetzee, one of them and a possible starter, is recovering from a groin injury. After declaring that he will be able to bowl once more, Hardik Pandya, the new MI captain, may be required to assist in the bowling attack led by Bumrah.

Kwena Maphaka replaces Dilshan Madushanka in the MI squad for IPL 2024

MI have recruited 17-year-old Kwena Madushanka from South Africa to replace Madushanka in their squad. The left-arm pacer spearheaded South Africa’s attack as they made the semi-finals of the U19 World Cup earlier this year.

Maphaka was named the Player of the Tournament for picking 21 wickets, the most ever by a pace bowler in an edition of the U19 World Cup.

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 – Lasith Malinga, Bowling Coach, and Jasprit Bumrah.

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