Tags: IPL 2024,
Mumbai XI
Published on: Mar 21, 2024
Mumbai Indians (MI) have named young South African fast bowler Kwena Maphaka as injured Sri Lankan pacer Dilshan Madushanka’s replacement for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.
Madushanka suffered a hamstring injury in the recently-concluded ODI series in Bangladesh, which the Lankans lost 1-2. Madushanka, who had a brilliant 2023 ODI World Cup, claiming 21 wickets in nine matches, was purchased by Mumbai Indians at the IPL 2024 auction for Rs 4.6 crore.
Speaking of Maphaka, the 17-year-old grabbed eyeballs during the U-19 World Cup in South Africa earlier this year. He was named Player of the Tournament for claiming 21 wickets at an average of 9.71. Maphaka was part of the Paarl Royals franchise for SA20 2023-24 but did not play any match.
Maphaka’s T20 numbers read 13 wickets in nine games at an economy of 6.71, including a four-wicket haul.
“Maphaka already is capable of generating serious pace and has a very mean bouncer that is known to hurry the batters up. He debuted for the South Africa U19 team at 15 & has already played in two U19 World Cups,” said MI in a media release.
“He is capable of touching speeds of 140kph, and his death bowling and yorkers were a standout too at the U19 World Cup earlier this year.
“He will share the dressing room with two of the best bowlers in world cricket – Lasith Malinga, bowling coach and Jasprit Bumrah putting him on a path of learning, development and building on that knowledge.”
MI plays its IPL 2024 opening match versus last season’s runner-up, Gujarat Titans, in Ahmedabad on March 24 under new skipper Hardik Pandya.
Gujarat Titans have roped in Kerala medium-pacer Sandeep Warrier as a replacement for injured senior Indian seamer Mohammed Shami, the Indian Premier League said on Wednesday.
Shami recently underwent a successful Achilles heel surgery in London for his right heel problem.
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He is expected to be undergoing rehabilitation for almost the whole of IPL 2024, thus ruling him out of the entire event.
Shami has not played competitive cricket since last year’s ODI World Cup final here, which India lost by six wickets against Australia.
As for Warrier, the 32-year-old has played five IPL matches since 2019, grabbing two wickets at an economy of 7.88.
“Shami – the veteran Indian pacer – recently successfully underwent surgery for his right heel problem and is currently recovering,” read a statement from IPL.
“His replacement, Sandeep Warrier, has so far played 5 IPL matches and will join GT for his base price of INR 50 Lac.”
GT will be his fourth IPL franchise, having previously played for Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians.
GT will play their IPL 2024 opener against Mumbai Indians on March 24 in Ahmedabad.