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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 ru🌠ns in his first over. However, the remainder of his spell 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 cricke💯ter had gained insight into the disparity between U19 cricket and the intensity of the IPL.
“Maphaka realizing the difference between U19 and the PRO league. Baptism of fire,” S☂teyn wrote on the m🀅icroblogging platform X (formerly Twitter).
Maphaka r♈ealizing the ��difference between U19 and the 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 charge with an unbeaten 80, supported b🐎y Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, who contributed 63 and 62 runs respectively.
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 – Heinrich Klaasen’s daughter cheers for her father; Kavya Maran joins in with a unique cel꧑ebration
Here is how fans reacted:
The༺ year is 2012. You were at your peak vs AB. He smashed you for 23.
Baptism of ﷽Fire for an experienced world class 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 achieved in a single U19 World Cup.
You are an old, bitter and over-celebrated white doos who🌺 choked at every Wor🃏ld Cup tournament.
He does not need your validation, ST*U!
— Sihle Lonzi (@SihleLonzi)
You still have nothing to show for your stellar bowling🌊 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 sentiment about Gerald Cotzee’s bowling… who actually got his balls smashed as well. Makhaya Ntini was righ💖t.
— 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 M♑aphaka when he wa⭕s on fire in the recent under 19 World Cup. If you can’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!!
Legendsౠ across nationali𓃲ties are losing their sh*t all together!— Gagan Chawla (@toecrushrzzz)
Says the guy who lost us the WC semifinal
— Sineletu 🇿🇦🇨🇩🇵🇸 (@Ruga_Sine12)
This i🥀s kind of gross coming from a legend of the game. Kwena is 17 years old, 17.
Even at 30+ years with al♛l your experience, you also had bad games, no?
— 🇿🇦🇿🇦 Sabeeha Maj💧id 🏏/DA ♕Miller stan account❤️ (@SabeehaMajid)
Such a wild take when almost everꦚy other bowler 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 🌊to join the team a few days before the tournament started. Give him grace. It’s the biggest league in the world, he knows he’s not playing his age mates.
There’s a condescending tone/💫attitude about this post.
— Mawande Mateza (@Mawandinho)
All the bowleꦏrs got smashed and you decided to pick on a 17 year old debutant? Sies🙄
— Carol Mosweu (@carolmos14)
You could’ve chosen to show support and encouraged the 17yr old but instead you showed your fear a🍃nd chose whatever you think this is! Sad!
— Andile Ncube (@AndileNcube)
We really be watching anꦓ 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_)
//twitter.com/InDiWey_/status/1773240699732774995
