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    Mumbai's replacement for the injured Madushanka is South African teenager Maphaka
Mumbai's replacement for the injured Madushanka is South African teenager Maphaka
Kwena Maphaka was Player of the Tournament in the recent Under-19 World Cup. Source: Getty Images

Mumbai's replacement for the injured Madushanka is South African teenager Maphaka

Dilshan Madushanka will be absent from the Mumbai Indians team for IPL 2024 due to a hamstring injury sustained during a tour of Bangladesh earlier this month. As a result, seventeen-year-old South African fast bowler Kwena Maphaka has been named as his replacement.

Mumbai had invested INR 4.6 crore (USD 554,000 approx.) in Madushanka, who was expected to play as a powerplay specialist. Madushanka showcased his ability to swing the new ball during the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he took 21 wickets, placing him third behind Mohammed Shami (24) and Adam Zampa (23).

Maphaka is currently in his final year of school, attending the same institution as Kagiso Rabada, St Stithians in Johannesburg. He was originally scheduled to spend his summer holidays in Mumbai before returning home. However, his plans have changed, and he will now spend March, April, and May with a team that includes fast bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah and coaches like Lasith Malinga.

Maphaka was a standout player in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup, leading South Africa to the semi-finals with his impressive performance. He took 21 wickets from six ODIs at an average of 9.71 and an economy rate of 3.81, setting a new record for the most wickets taken in a single edition of the Youth World Cup.  According to his teammates, Maphaka bowls at 140 kph and is known for his inswing, which makes him similar to Madushanka in style.

Mumbai has six other specialist fast bowlers in their squad. However, one of them, Gerald Coetzee, another potential starter, is nursing a groin injury. New captain Hardik Pandya may be needed to support the Bumrah-led bowling attack as he has announced that he will be fit to bowl.

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