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In the eighth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Mumbai Indians‘ debutant, 17-year-old Kwena Maphaka, faced a tough initiation into the world of professional cricket. Making his debut against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 27, Maphaka started promisingly, conceding just seven runs in his first over. However, the remainder of his spe♈ll turned disastrous as he was unable to contain the Hyderabad batsmen.
Maphaka꧃ ended up conceding a whopping 66 runs in his four overs, remaining♋ wicketless. His performance marked the most expensive spell by an IPL debutant, drawing significant attention from cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
Dale Steyn’s observation on Kwena Maphaka
In response to Maphaka’s challenging performance, esteemed South African fast bowler Dale Steyn expressed his view that the young cricketer had gained insight into the disparity between U19 ꦫcrick𒁃et and the intensity of the IPL.
“Maphaka realizing the difference between U19 and the PRO league. Baptism of fire,” Steyn wrote on the microbloggin💯g platform X (formerly Twitter).
Maphaka realizing the difference betwee꧙n U19 and th🃏e PRO league.
Baptism of fire.
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62)
Notably, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium witnessed a high-scoring spectacle as Hyderabad achieved their highest-ever IPL total, culminating at 277/3 after 20 overs. Heinrich Klaasen led the char🌟ge with an unbeaten 80, supported by Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, who contributed 63 and 62 runs re🐻spectively.
Fans slam Steyn for his tweet
Meanwhile, Steyn’s analysis on Maphaka didn’t go down well with many fans as they slammed the former South African pacer for his tweet. While some may have perceived Steyn’s comment as a light-hearted observation, many fans took offense to it, viewing it as criticism rather than constructive feedback.
The backlash against Steyn was swift and intense, with numerous fans expressing their disappointment with his remarks. Many fans argued that instead of criticizing Maphaka, a young talent experiencing the pressures of top-level cricket, Steyn should have offered words of encouragement and support. The discontent among fans was palpable across social media platforms, with a flurry of tweets condemning Steyn’s approach.
Also WATCH: IPL 2024 – Heinᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚrich Klaasen’s daughter cheers for her father; Kavya Maran joins in with 🎐a unique celebration
Here is how fans reacted:
The year is 2012. You were at your peak vs AB. He sm🌞ashed you for 23.
Baptism of Fire for an experienced world c🦂lass bowler.
— Tshemedi (@RealTshemedi)
I thought you was different
— Thebe_ (@foreverThebe)
Kwena Maphaka (17 year old) is our rising black diamond who has achieved what no other player has ever achieve﷽d in ꦬa single U19 World Cup.
You are an old, bitter and over-c🦩elebrated white doos who choked at e꧋very World Cup tournament.
He does not need your validation, ST*U!
— Sihle Lonzi (@SihleLonzi)
Y🧜ou still have nothing to show for your stellar b💙owling and your senior debut wasn’t even the best.
— Thamsanqa (@TaSanqa)
All bowlers bar Bumrah got smashed, INCLUDING COETZEE, but it's a 17 year old debutant who gets mocked by a "legend" from his own country, while West Indies legends offer him words of encouragement. Makhaya Ntini was right about SA Cricket.
— Nchema (@ShottaZee)
Not a single se𝓡ntiment about Gerald Cotzee’s bowling… who actually got his balls smashed as well. Makhaya Ntini was right.
— Tshepo (@TshepoL_)
He is 17 on debut, couldn't you just congratulate the young fella or just keep quiet? 🚮🚮🚮
— Callie (@CalliePhakathi)
Wena show us a post where you appreciated Maphaka when he was on fire in the recent under 19 World Cup. If you c✤an’t, then your heart is darker than the apartheid government.
— Dabane The Darling (@Sgadi28)
The much hyped Coetzee went for 60 runs in 4 overs, but hey!!! let's throw a young kid under the bus!!
Legends across natio🐻nalities are losing their sh*t all together!— Gagan Chawla (@toecrushrzzz)
Says the guy who lost us the WC semifinal
— Sineletu 🇿🇦🇨🇩🇵🇸 (@Ruga_Sine12)
⭕This is ꦗkind of gross coming from a legend of the game. Kwena is 17 years old, 17.
Even at 30🔯+ years with al꧒l your experience, you also had bad games, no?
— 🇿��🇿🇦 Sabeeha Majid 🏏/DA🌺 Miller stan accoꦛunt❤️ (@SabeehaMajid)
Such a wild take when a🌱lmost every other bowl♛er got tap
— Thomas Mlambo (@thomasmlambo)
How Can You Write This dale?…I didn't know Yo Can be This Evil…
— SAMMY (@SAMMY50277422)
He’s a 17-year-old who got the call to𝓰 join the team a few days before the tournament started. Give him grace. It’s the biggest league in 𝔍the world, he knows he’s not playing his age mates.
There’s a condescend🌌ing tone/attitude about this post.
— Mawande Mateza (@Mawandinho)
All the bowlers got smashed and☂ you decided to pick on a 17 year old debutant? Sies🙄
— Carol Mosweu (@carolmos14)
You coul🔯d’ve chosen to show support and encouraged the 17yr old but ins🌞tead you showed your fear and chose whatever you think this is! Sad!
— Andile Ncube (@AndileNcube)
We really be watching an applauding fools. As soon as they stop playing, 🐭they show their true colors. What a foolish tweet.
— khumoApril (@JERRY_DAMSON)
You know what’s disheartening about this tweet… all bowlers were expensive, every single one of them in that match but Dale Steyn chooses to single just one out… like he has never had such matches. Terrible.
— Tshepo (@TshepoL_)
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