Kwena Maphaka had a forgettable debut in the Indian Premier League for Mumbai Indians. Kwena Maphaka conceded 66 runs from his four overs against Sunrisers Hyderabad in match number 8 of the IPL 2024, making him the foreign player with the most runs conceded in an IPL innings.
Kwena Maphaka had a challenging outing in the match, starting with a relatively controlled first over where he conceded seven runs, but he struggled in the 3rd over, being hit for 22 runs. Despite being reintroduced into the attack in the 10th over, he continued to face difficulties, conceding another 20 runs. His final over, the 17th of SRH’s innings, proved to be costly as 18 runs were scored. Overall, Kwena Maphaka conceded a total of 12 boundaries, reflecting the tough time he had on the field.
South Africa’s u-19 hero Kwena Maphaka had an dismal outing in his debut at IPL
South Africa’s upcoming pacer Kwena Maphaka was picked up by Mumbai Indians spotting talent scout after his heroics for South Africa’s u-19 World Cup . Kwena Maphaka replaced injured Sri Lankan bowler Dilshan Madhushanka. Kwena Maphaka, who was named player of the tournament for taking 21 wickets at 9.71.
Kwena Maphaka had to manage his expectations himself on Wednesday. He took the field in Hyderabad as Mumbai’s youngest foreign debutant and the third-youngest in the IPL overall at 17 years and 354 days, and left with the most expensive figures in the franchise’s history.
In all IPLs only Basil Thampi’s 0/70 for SRH against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018 and Yash Dayal’s 0/69 for Gujarat Titans against Kolkata Knight Riders last year were smaller hidings than Kwena Maphaka’s 0/66. Having limited the damage to seven runs in his first over, he went for 22, 20 and 17 in the other three. It wasn’t that Kwena Maphaka bowled exceptionally poorly. It was that SRH batted with explosive intent.
An extenuating circumstance was that none of Mumbai’s bowlers were spared in SRH’s total of 277/3, the highest not only in IPL history but also in any franchise tournament in the format. A consolation of sorts was that Heinrich Klassen, having hit 11 sixes but no fours off the first 45 balls he faced in this year’s IPL, was finally held to a mere boundary when he smoked the second delivery of Kwena Maphaka’s last over down the ground.
Former South African speedster Dale Steyn slammed Kwena Maphaka for his dismal record saying that he might have understood the fact that bowling at highest level is not that easy.
Dale Steyn reacts as SA’s Maphaka scripts unwanted IPL record.
Legendary South African pacer Dale Steyn reacted to Mumbai Indians youngster Kwena Maphaka scripting an unwanted record on his Indian Premier League debut during an IPL 2024 match against SunRisers Hyderabad on Wednesday. Kwena Maphaka conceded 66 runs from his four overs against Sunrisers Hyderabad in match number 8 of the IPL 2024, making him the foreign player with the most runs conceded in an IPL innings
“Maphaka realizing the difference between U19 and the PRO league. Baptism of fire,” Steyn tweeted.
Records tumbled as Sunrisers Hyderabad smashed 277 for three, the highest total in IPL history, stunning Mumbai Indians. Travis Head (62 off 24) and Abhishek Sharma (63 off 23) showcased sensational power-hitting, with Sharma snatching the franchise’s fastest fifty from Head within minutes. Heinrich Klassen (80 off 34) then continued his left job to launch brutal assault over hapless MI bowlers.
Kwena Maphaka was roped in by Mumbai Indians to replace the injured Sri Lankan Dilshan Madushanka at the last moment. He had starred in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2023 as he took a total of 21 wickets from six games, the most wickets taken by a bowler in the tournament’s history. He is still in high school and has had success in tennis and hockey, coming from the same school as Kagiso Rabada, St. Stithians.
Kwena Maphaka became the second youngest player to have represented MI behind only Rasikh Salam, who was just a day younger when he made his debut against the Delhi Capitals in 2019. Overall, the South African became the third-youngest overseas player to make his debut behind the likes of Mujeeb Ur Rahman who debuted with the Punjab Kings and Sandeep Lamichhane for the Delhi Capitals in 2018. With dismal record to his name it is only wise that Kwena Maphaka will learn by this experience to become better bowler in future.