IPL 2025 mega auction: RR rope in 18-year-old SA bowler Kwena Maphaka

Kwena Maphaka took one wicket for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024.

Kwena Maphaka is considered among the most exciting upcoming fast-bowling talents in the world. Maphaka was part of the South African team in the Under-19 World Cup in 2024, where he bagged the Player of the Tournament award for taking 21 wickets at an average of just 9.71.

In August, at 18 years and 137 days old, he became the youngest South African to make his debut in men’s international cricket when he featured in three T20Is against West Indies.

Maphaka made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut with Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2024. He has picked up 28 wickets in 21 T20 games across his career.

Kwena Maphaka sold to Rajasthan Royals for INR 1.5 crore

RR made the first bid on Maphaka at his base price of INR 75 lakhs and found a competitor in RCB. RR eventually managed to grab the South African for INR 1.5 crore.

At RR, Maphaka will join Jofra Archer, Fazalhaw Farooqi, Sandeep Sharma and Tushar Deshpande in the fast-bowling department.

Kwena Maphaka previously in the IPL

Kwena Maphaka made his IPL debut in 2024 with Mumbai Indians after coming in as a replacement for the injured Dilshan Madushanka.

The South African pacer grabbed attention as he became the youngest South African and the third youngest overseas player overall to feature in the IPL.

Maphaka picked up one wicket in two matches in his debut IPL season with an economy rate of almost 15. His only wicket came against Rajasthan Royals when he dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal.

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