'Dale Steyn's comment after Kwena Maphaka's IPL debut is discouraging, racist' say X users | City Press

28 Mar

Zamokuhle Ndawonde

Mumbai Indians's Kwena Maphaka made his debut on Wednesday against SunRisers Hyderabad

Supplied

When cricketer Kwena Maphaka of Mumbai Indians made his Indian Premier League debut on Wednesday, Dale Steyn made a remark that offended a lot of people.

"Maphaka realising the difference between U19 and the PRO league. Baptism of fire," Steyn said on his X account, leaving some social media users "disappointed".

Mumbai Indians played against SunRisers Hyderabad, in which Maphaka conceded 66 runs from four overs and became the foreign player with the most runs conceded in an IPL innings.

The game ended with Hyderabad winning by 31 runs.

Maphaka realizing the difference between U19 and the PRO league.

Baptism of fire.
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 27, 2024

People on X (formerly Twitter) expressed how disappointed they were by the tweet from Steyn.

Disappointed in Dale Steyn. Instead of cheering the young Kwena Maphaka, he decided to be weird.. the boy became the 3rd youngest overseas cricketer to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL), this is just the beginning of a brilliant career ???? pic.twitter.com/Rskf2Coo8u
— SITHALE??? (@SithaleKgaogelo) March 28, 2024

SMH Dale Steyn. Couldn't he throw in words of encouragement for the young Maphaka?

I also find it weird that this is the only thing he has ever tweeted about Maphaka . He said nothing when the boy took 21 wickets in 1 tournament (u19 World Cup) , a record BTW....... Strange… pic.twitter.com/mrg53CQMeI
— Solomzi Thandubuntu (@Solphendukaa) March 28, 2024

Dale Steyn is hate this young man because he's black. Makhaya Ntini was right about these Afrikaners. pic.twitter.com/9cKjhvYSqC
— Ntokozo Masuku (@visse_ss) March 28, 2024

READ: Why Kwena Maphaka's R1.2 million IPL move is a big deal

Some South Africans even shared how Makhaya Ntini left the sport and that Steyn showed an act of racism.

Racists are insufferable Thabiso. Our racists are the worst of the worst, because they are emboldened by the rainbow nation & stronger together claptrap that allows them to be racist with impunity. These are the chaps that subjected Makhaya Ntini to years of vishas racist abuse. https://t.co/EeXHvWiEvS
— iKomanisi? (@uNtandoSindane) March 28, 2024

Makhaya Ntini was right ?? and here we are as Cricket Twitter, always supporting legends, who bully upcoming stars, lol bullying a 17 year old, aii shame madala Dale. pic.twitter.com/mQhQf1hBBb
— Sandpaper Girl ?? (@SportyGalV) March 28, 2024

Dale Steyn proved that lord Makhaya Ntini was right
— Shandre Campbell?????? (@MotsoAphi) March 28, 2024

READ: Sensational ICC’s Kwena Maphaka is on the fast track to cricket stardom

Despite the tweet, cricket fans were proud of Maphaka and showed love to him on X.

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 World Cup tournament.

He does not need your validation, ST*U! https://t.co/Dm43eNoDS3 pic.twitter.com/kvguiaysAn
— Sihle Lonzi (@SihleLonzi) March 28, 2024

I hope Kwena Maphaka wakes up this morning extremely proud of what he achieved last night.
There are many seasoned international campaigners that try their level best to get picked up in an @IPL auction and just at the age of 17, yes 17, he made is debut as a foreign player.…
— Kevin Pietersen?? (@KP24) March 28, 2024

@DJBravo47 Thank you for believing in our CHAMP!!! Leave others to swim in their mess!! Maphaka is OUR future!!! ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? https://t.co/sF6Krh1SdR pic.twitter.com/QSKd8yDi1v
— robertmarawa (@robertmarawa) March 28, 2024

After Wednesday's tweet, Steyn tweeted on how he was proud of Maphaka on Thursday.

I woke up feeling for Kwena Maphaka today, but I know he’s surrounded by some amazing people at MI and he’s gana be absolutely fine.
His first experience, regardless of result or performance, should still be the most amazing cricket experience he’s ever had.
At just 17, it’s…
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 28, 2024

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