Exciting young SA paceman Kwena Maphaka to beef up Mumbai Indians bowling

The 17-year-old left-arm speedster Kwena Maphaka joins the Mumbai Indians squad as one of the youngest local or overseas players to play in the IPL. Mumbai Indians have three bright South African talents in their squad, as Maphaka joins up with Dewald Brevis and Gerald Coetzee. Maphaka’s strengths are his ability to generate serious pace, along with an unsettling bouncer, and he is excellent bowling at the death. 

Maphaka made headlines with a sensational performance at the recent U19 Cricket World Cup, his second appearance at the U19 World Cup, having debuted at the age of 15. This year he rolled 21 batters over to win the Player of the Tournament with South Africa bowing out in the semi-finals. His 21 wickets set an U19 World Cup record for the most wickets taken by a pace bowler in the history of the tournament. 

Mumbai Indians are renowned for identifying and developing exciting young talent. Maphaka will practice under the wing of one of the best bowlers in world cricket, bowling coach and former Sri Lanka paceman Lasith Malinga. He will also be practising and playing alongside India’s match-winning paceman Jasprit Bumrah. The experience will prove invaluable for the youngster, while his ability and raw talent is likely to prove a major benefit to Mumbai as they chase a top-two finish.