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IPL NEXT AS KWENA MAPHAKA’S STAR CONTINUES TO RISE
As if the last year hasn’t been incredible enough for Kwena Maphaka, the 17-year-old left-arm quick has jetted off to the join Mumbai Indians for IPL 2024.
Maphaka has been signed by the five-times IPL champions as a replacement for fellow left-armer Dilshan Madushanka after the Sri Lankan was ruled out through injury. In the process, Maphaka becomes the 30th Betway SA20-signed player set to play in this year’s IPL including new teammates Dewald Brevis, Gerald Coetzee, Romario Shepherd and Nuwan Thushara.
"It feels really good. Definitely something unexpected and I'm really happy to be here... it's a beautiful city," Maphaka told Mumbai Indians' media team after his arrival.
READ MORE: The Betway SA20 contingent set for IPL 2024
It was only in August last year that Paarl Royals confirmed Maphaka as one of their pre-signings for Season 2 – arguably stealing a march on neighbours MI Cape Town who had first pick in the rookie draft at the Player Auction to come. As it happened, he wasn’t able to feature in South Africa’s premier T20 cricket league after being selected to play in the Under-19 World Cup. Duly, Maphaka shone and claimed the Player of the Tournament award thanks to his 21 wickets.
Mumbai Indians released the first picture of Kwena Maphaka in their colours on Wednesday.
When the domestic T20 tournament started after the SA20 season, it was no surprise when Maphaka’s team, the Lions, immediately picked him in their playing XI. Once again, he has excelled claiming 3/22 on debut against the Rocks from Paarl, an economical 2/11 against North Dragons, 1/37 in the Gauteng Derby against the Titans and 1/27 against Western Province this past weekend. In the last of those, Maphaka was entrusted with bowling the Super Over – ahead of the likes of Bjorn Fortuin, Evan Jones and Codi Yusuf (all Paarl Royals players too) – and secured the win for the Lions. Undoubtedly that maturity sealed the deal for the Mumbai Indians hierarchy, not least head coach Mark Boucher and bowling coach Lasith Malinga.
On Monday, Maphaka returned to his real ‘day job’ as a scholar at St Stithians College in Johannesburg but within 24 hours he - and his mom - were en route for India and he will celebrate his 18th birthday there in a few weeks which will undoubtedly add another unique chapter to the remarkable story unfolding for him.
