Maphaka built for the big IPL show, says Donald
A DAY after South Africa fast bowler Kwena Maphaka was drafted in by five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians as a replacement for injured Sri Lanka pacer Dilshan Madushanka, the legendary Allan Donald feels the 17-year-old has a golden opportunity to showcase his talent at the “biggest tournament on the planet”.
Maphaka, the left-arm paceman, caught everyone’s eye in this year’s Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, taking the hosts to the semi-finals and being adjudged Player of the Tournament, having taken 21 wickets from six games at an average of 9.71 and an economy rate of 3.81.
It was reported that Maphaka was set to join MI as a support bowler for IPL 2024, after a few matches for his domestic side the Lions, where Donald now works as a bowling coach, in the Cricket SA T20 Challenge.
But Madushanka’s hamstring injury means he will now spend IPL 2024 with MI as a squad member.
“Kwena has the opportunity now to showcase his skills at the biggest tournament on the planet, and we all wish him well and want him to succeed. This kid has got the talent and the skill to play first up, and is the sort of guy that you will have in the IPL and back him to be in your starting line-up,” Donald said in a statement issued by the Lions.
“The experience he will gain by being surrounded by top players, coaches and friends is unmatched – even just from being in the changerooms. We wish all our Pride (Lions) members well in this IPL.”
Maphaka is currently in his final year of school at St Stithians College in Johannesburg, which is also the alma mater of South Africa’s pace spearhead, Kagiso Rabada.
The duo are also together at the Lions in South Africa’s domestic circuit.
“When I first saw KG Rabada, I thought to myself, ‘Wow, this guy really is cut out for the big stuff’… you just know that a guy like that is built for the big show,” Donald said.
“The same can be said for Kwena. There is no doubt that his skill is exceptional, but the most impressive thing is his surety about not only himself, but about what he is going to do.
“I think a great example of that was the other night when he defended 11 off the Super Over and bowled intelligently, backed his best ball – which in that pressure situation was the yorker – and got the job done. I think that the Lions will miss him, no question. But his absence marks an opportunity for someone else to stand up.”