• Dale Steyn faced heat for his tweet regarding Kwena Maphaka's performance in SRH vs MI game at IPL 2024.

  • Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by 31 runs in the high-scoring clash.

IPL 2024: Fans slam Dale Steyn for his tweet on Kwena Maphaka’s dismal debut during SRH vs MI clash
Dale Steyn faces heat for his tweet on Kwena Maphaka in IPL 2024 (Image Source: Twitter)

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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 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 cricketer 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,” Steyn wrote on the microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter).

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 by 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 celebration

Here is how fans reacted:

Also READ: SRH vs MI – Irfan Pathan, Tom Moody slam Hardik Pandya for giving only 1 over to Jasprit Bumrah during the powerplay | IPL 2024

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AKSHAT GAUR
Akshat is the Sr. Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Akshat has honed his skills over 6 years, working with various media outlets, publications, and organizations to deliver high-quality content that informs, educates, and entertains audiences. He is just another cricket fan who’s grown up watching the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Cricket runs in his veins. Cover drive is his favorite sight, and a ball meeting the middle of the bat is his favorite sound. You can write to him at akshat.gaur@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter, Facebook & Linkedin.