17-year-old SA speedster lands dream IPL deal with Mumbai Indians

Kwena Maphaka's star continues to shine as the young left-arm quick joins Indian Premier League (IPL) outfit Mumbai Indians.

Maphaka, who is in matric at Randburg-based private school St Stithians College, is already in India's cricket heartland, where he's come in as a replacement for Sri Lankan seamer Dilshan Madushanka, who picked up a hamstring injury on national team duty earlier this month.

Madushanka, also a left-arm seamer, is a big loss for the Mumbai Indians with his pace and inswing, especially up front.

Madushanka was the third-highest wicket-taker in last year's World Cup, with 21 sticks, behind Australia's Adam Zampa (23) and India's Mohammed Shami.

Maphaka, who has featured for the Lions in the ongoing Cricket South Africa Provincial T20 challenge, is a junior World Cup star in his own right.

Official: Kwena Maphaka joins @mipaltan for #TATAIPL 2024. All the best in Mumbai, Kwena! ????#LionsCricket #ThePrideOfJozi pic.twitter.com/MGei6vyDvt

He helped take South Africa to the semi-finals with a haul of 21 wickets from six matches, at an average of 9.71, and an economy rate of 3.81.

He also helped the Lions to a tight one-run win against Western Province recently, where he bowled a tight final over to deliver the win.

?? Mumbai Indians announce Kwena Maphaka as replacement for Dilshan Madushanka. Read more ?? https://t.co/RgJLT42mmKMaphaka has joined the squad and he has the distinction of being one of the youngest player both domestic and overseas to be a part of the IPL and carrying… pic.twitter.com/rPzJjTPuXx

Maphaka's absence will come as a blow for his school's hockey team as his stay, which is expected to be two months, will coincide with the heart of the hockey season.

The IPL starts on Friday, with the Chennai