• Home
  • Who Said What
  • I Have Been Studying Mumbai Indians Young Gun Kwena Maphaka Returns To School

'I Have Been Studying...'- Mumbai Indians' Young Gun Kwena Maphaka Returns To School

Kwena Maphaka (X.com)Kwena Maphaka (X.com)

South Africa's 18-year-old pacer, Kwena Maphaka, has already made history as the youngest player to debut for The Proteas Men in international cricket.

Maphaka, who currently plays in the Indian Premier League for Mumbai Indians, debuted in the 2023 edition and was also the youngest player to ever play for the franchise. Although it wasn't a shiny debut for the young gun, he took the vast opportunities and picked his first wicket soon after for South Africa.

He spoke about his life and how he managed to draw a balance between his studies and cricket. He responded with a sheepish smile and said:

“When I go home, it’s into prelims again. I have been studying on tour, unfortunately. It’s going to be a little bit of studying and a little bit of work. After prelims it’s the finals and then done with school!"

"It's a privilege and a great honour" Says Maphaka

He also expressed his gratitude for being able to represent South Africa and play for them. He discussed the 'amazing' feeling of turning his dreams into reality.

“Being the youngest player to represent South Africa is a privilege and it’s a great honour. It’s something that I’m going to hold dear to my heart for a very long time,” said Maphaka.

“It’s an amazing feeling, something I’ve been dreaming about my whole life to represent the Proteas. To be the youngest to do it is the cherry on top of the cake.

From a very young age people said that I have a lot of talent. Cricket is something that I really wanted to pursue, probably from the age of six, seven years old I wanted to be a Proteas player.”

Maphaka was part of the ICC Under-19 World Cup squads in 2023 and 2024. He also played a starring role in the 2024 event on home soil, earning the Player-of-the-Tournament award with a haul of 21 wickets.