'Difference Between U19 and Pro League': Dale Steyn Reacts After Kwena Maphaka Concedes Most Runs on IPL Debut

Young Mumbai Indians pacer Kwena Maphaka had a nightmarish start to the IPL as the 17-year-old South African conceded 66 runs from his four overs, making him the player with the most runs conceded on debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Dale Steyn took to social media to say that it was a ‘baptism of fire’ for the youngster.

“Maphaka realizing the difference between U19 and the PRO league. Baptism of fire,” Steyn posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Kwena Maphaka was roped in by Mumbai Indians to replace the injured Sri Lankan Dilshan Madushanka at the last moment. He had starred in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2023 as he took a total of 21 wickets from six games, the most wickets taken by a bowler in the tournament’s history. He is still in high school and has had success in tennis and hockey, coming from the same school as Kagiso Rabada, St. Stithians.

Kwena Maphaka became the second youngest player to have represented MI behind only Rasikh Salam, who was just a day younger when he made his debut against the Delhi Capitals in 2019. Overall, the South African became the third-youngest overseas player to make his debut behind the likes of Mujeeb ur Rahman who debuted with the Punjab Kings and Sandeep Lamichhane for the Delhi Capitals in 2018.

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In the end, Sunrisers Hyderabad, who posted 277-3 for the highest-ever Indian Premier League total, beat Mumbai Indians by 31 runs in a six-hitting festival.

Australia’s Travis Head made a 24-ball 62 and Abhishek Sharma, inspired by talking to West Indies legend Brian Lara, smashed 63 after Hyderabad batted first and went past the previous IPL best of 263-5 by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2013.

It rained boundaries in Hyderabad’s innings with 18 sixes and 19 fours as the South African pair of Heinrich Klaasen (80 not out in 34 balls) and Aiden Markram, who hit 42, posted an unbeaten stand of 116. Mumbai replied strongly in the match which witnessed 38 sixes for another IPL record, bettering the 33 hits over the fence clubbed three times in earlier seasons.

(With inputs from Agencies)