Who is Kwena Maphaka? All you need to know about SA U19 included in MI squad for IPL 2024

Kwena Maphaka was the star of the ICC U19 World Cup 2024 in South Africa.

Mumbai Indians (MI) made a major announcement on March 20, 2024, unveiling 17-year-old South African pacer Kwena Maphaka as a replacement player for injured Sri Lankan pacer Dilshan Madushanka for IPL 2024.

The fast bowler from Sri Lanka has been sidelined for the duration of the T20 event after suffering a hamstring injury during tour of Bangladesh earlier this month.

Mumbai has spent INR 4.6 crores, a substantial amount, on Madushanka to rope him during the auction. As a powerplay specialist, he had the opportunity to participate in the starting XI. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, Madushanka demonstrated his ability to swing the new ball by taking the third-most wickets (21).  

Madushanka injured his hamstring during Sri Lanka’s second ODI against Bangladesh. He flew back home to continue his rehabilitation.

Madushanka, and his Sri Lanka colleague Nuwan Thushara, were among the new players acquired by Mumbai Indians in the latest IPL auction. In Madushanka’s place, Mumbai Indians have brought in Kwena Maphaka from South Africa as a replacement and he’ll join the franchise for his base price of INR 50 lakhs.

Who is Kwena Maphaka? All you need to know about SA U19 included in MI squad for IPL 2024

During the ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup 2024, Kwena Maphaka made a name for himself by displaying his extraordinary talent. Cricket fans worldwide were captivated by Maphaka’s performance, even though South Africa U19 side was knocked out of the tournament after losing to India in the semi-finals.

Born in 2006, in Johannesburg, the left-arm bowler finished as the 2024 U-19 World Cup’s top wicket-taker after taking 21 wickets at an impeccable average of 9.71 in six games. In addition, he was selected Player of the Tournament.

The 17-year-old has already represented South Africa A and South Africa Emerging teams. He is capable of touching speeds of 140kph and his death bowling and yorkers were a standout too at the U19 World Cup earlier this year.

His senior year of high school is still ongoing. Maphaka is a gifted athlete who has excelled in both hockey and tennis. He is a product of St. Stithians, the same school as Kagiso Rabada.

During the tournament, Maphaka had named Virat Kohli as his dream wicket. He was also granted a SA20 league contract with the Paarl Royals but had to pull out of the tournament to play in the U19 World Cup. Interestingly, Maphaka has played two U19 World Cups, with his first appearance coming as a 15-year-old in the 2022 tournament.

Ever since making his Youth ODI debut, Maphaka has 48 wickets in 18 matches at an average of 14.45 and a strike rate of 19.1. Behind him is Bangladesh’s Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby, who has taken 39 wickets across 26 matches.

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