Vernon Philander has expressed his belief that the Mumbai Indians, coached by Mark Boucher, could have better managed 17-year-old South African fast bowler Kwena Maphaka during his IPL debut.
Against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Maphaka conceded 66 runs in four overs. In his second match against Rajasthan Royals, the SA U19 star celebrated his first IPL wicket. However, he conceded 23 runs in his two overs:
“The question is whether you are doing him justice by having him bowl in his first game against some of the greatest batsmen in the world. Is it worth it? Hopefully, that baptism of fire didn’t break him mentally.”
Former Proteas spinner and current EP Warriors coach Robin Peterson praised Nandré Burger's bowling.
Burger has taken six wickets in four matches, averaging 20.66 with a strike rate of 14.0 and an economy rate of 8.85.