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Young South African pace sensation Kwena Maphaka has been reportedly roped in as net bowler by the five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians for the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League. Maphaka made the headlines during his stint in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 as he established himself as one of the best young cricketers in the world. The 17-year-old delivered impressive yorkers, to pave his way to the senior squad.
Mahapaka first appeared for the U19 squad at the age of 15, when he got picked up for the 2022 U19 World Cup. During the tournament, Maphaka was featured in only three games, out of six, scalping seven wickets with an average of 18.29 and conceding 5.56 runs per over. In the 2024 season, the Johannesburg-born picked 21 wickets and became the leading wicket-taker.
As per reports by Stuart Hess from TimesLive of South Africa, Maphaka has been roped in by the Hardik Pandya-led franchise and joined the pre-season training camp. However, the franchise is yet to give the official confirmation soon. As per Hess, “In hasty arrangements, with the help of his Gauteng Lions teammate Kagiso Rabada, Maphaka went from classes at St Stithians on Monday to boarding a flight on Tuesday to join one of the glamour teams in cricket’s most lucrative competition.”
The report also mentioned that Mumbai Indians also arranged tutors for Maphaka so that his academics don't get affected.
