Mumbai Indians have a signed 17-year-old U19 World Cup star Kwena Maphaka to their squad for the 2024 IPL ahead the start of the tournament later this week (March 22).
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Maphaka made a huge impression in the tournament earlier this year, taking 21 wickets across six matches at an average of 9.71, bowling express left-arm pace and getting prodigious movement through the air. He was named Player of the Tournament, and was part of South Africa’s run to the semi-final. Mumbai have signed Maphaka at his base price of INR 50 lakh as a replacement for Dilshan Madushanka, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury.
In other IPL injury news, Gujarat Titans have announced their replacement for Mohammed Shami, who continues to recover from ankle surgery. Sandeep Warrier will take his place, joining a fast-bowling group that includes Mohit Sharma, Josh Little, Umesh Yadav, Spencer Johnson, Kartik Tyagi, Darshan Nalkande and Sushant Mishra.
Warrier has played five IPL matches in the past, representing Kolkata Knight Riders between 2019 and 2021, having previously been signed to RCB from 2013 to 2015. He was also bought by Mumbai Indians in 2023 but did not play a game.
Gujarat Titans will also be without Matthew Wade for their first two matches of the tournament. He will stay in Australia to play for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield final before travelling to India.
Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans will face each other in their first fixture of the 2024 competition, with the game set to be hosted at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
