Prior to the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Mumbai Indians (MI), the five-time champions, faced a substantial setback with the unfortunate news that their notable acquisition from the IPL mini auction, Sri Lankan pacer Dilshan Madushanka, has been sidelined for the upcoming season due to injury.
Dilshan Madushanka’s injury
Madushanka sustained a hamstring injury during the recently concluded ODI series in Bangladesh, where Sri Lanka suffered a 1-2 defeat. In the second ODI held in Chattogram, the 23-year-old made a promising start by clinching two wickets upfront but was forced to exit the field after bowling only 6.4 overs. Mumbai had acquired Madushanka for INR 4.6 crore in the IPL Auction, impressed by his stellar performance during the ODI World Cup last year, where he took 21 wickets in nine matches.
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Mumbai Indians’ new joining
In response to Madushanka’s absence, the franchise has enlisted South Africa‘s burgeoning pace talent from the Under 19 World Cup 2024, Kwena Maphaka. The 17-year-old emerged as a standout performer after clinching the Player of the Tournament title during the U19 World Cup hosted at home this year, amassing an impressive tally of 21 wickets at an average of 9.71, that included three-five wickets haul.
🚨 Mumbai Indians announce Kwena Maphaka as replacement for Dilshan Madushanka. Read more ➡️ https://t.co/RgJLT42mmK
Maphaka 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
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 20, 2024
Squad boost
Despite his involvement with the South Africa A and South Africa Emerging teams since the previous year, Maphaka did not have the chance to showcase his skills for the Paarl Royals in SA20 2023-24. Notably, in T20 cricket, Maphaka has clinched 13 wickets in nine matches at an economy rate of 6.71, highlighted by an impressive four-wicket haul. He will now link up with compatriots Dewald Brevis and Gerald Coetzee in the Mumbai squad for the 2024 edition of the IPL.
