The Mumbai Indians have announced Kwena Maphaka as a replacement for Dilshan Madushanka, who is out of the IPL 2024 due to an injury. Maphaka has joined the squad and has the distinction of being one of the youngest players in the IPL, both domestically and internationally, building on the MI history of discovering new and aspiring talent and developing it into high-performing players.
South Africa's 17-year-old Kwena Maphaka rose to prominence in the U19 World Cup earlier this year, winning Player of the Tournament after taking 21 wickets. The left-armer's 21 wickets are the most by a pace bowler in a single U19 World Cup edition.
He headed South Africa's pace as they advanced to the semi-finals at home. 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 top bowlers in global cricket, Lasith Malinga, Bowling Coach, and Jasprit Bumrah, putting him on a road of learning, development, and building on his knowledge.
Maphaka is already capable of producing real pace and possesses a very wicked bouncer that dismisses the batters easily. He made his debut for the South African U19 team at the age of 15 and has already competed in two U19 World Cups. He is capable of reaching speeds of 140kph, and his death bowling and yorkers were also standouts at the U19 World Cup earlier this year.
He is still in his last year of high school. Maphaka, a talented all-around athlete, has also excelled in tennis and hockey. He attended the same school as Kagiso Rabada, St. Stithians.
The Mumbai Indians have built a reputation over the years for discovering gems that go on to become international and IPL stars. Since 2008, the Mumbai Indians have frequently signed young players to the team.
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