Chennai Super Kings have roped in South African pacer Sisanda Magala ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. The 32-year old has joined the IPL franchise as an injury replacement for New Zealand star Kyle Jamieson.
Jamieson, who was acquired for Rs 1 crore by CSK during the mini-auction in December, has been ruled out of the entire IPL 2023 with a back injury. He is now set to spend a long period on the sidelines. While missing Jamieson is definitely a big blow for CSK, they will be hoping that Sisanda Magala turns out to be a good if not better replacement for the New Zealand allrounder.
Who is Sisanda Magala?
While Sisanda Magala has already made his debut in international cricket, it won’t be wrong to say that he is a relatively unknown face in Indian cricket fraternity. The right-arm pacer has played 5 ODIs and 4 T20Is so far and has picked up 9 wickets.
And while he may not be a popular face in Indian cricket, he is definitely a very highly-rated player in South Africa. One of his biggest fans is none other than the legendary Dale Steyn. Time and again, the South African great has expressed his admiration for Sisanda Magala.
Very stoked for all the new faces we’ll see represent the Proteas
Big fan of Magala!
Great replacement for any bowling all rounder who gets injured this IPL.
Lizaard Williams also been super impressive the last two or three seasons.
Well done men ?
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 18, 2021
Magala!!!
This guy has something special bout him, and bowling in partnership with KG be sure to seen some gas and a little more from him this 20/20 series!— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) February 20, 2021
Sisanda Magala is one of the best death bowlers in South African cricket. He has the ability to bowl a deadly yorker which is one of the most important skills needed to excel in the shortest format of the game. His ability to vary his pace makes him a very good option for Indian conditions where pacers hardly get any assistance from the pitch.
Talking about his journey in the game so far, he first came into spotlight in 2016 when he finished the Africa T20 Cup as its highest wicket-taker. Later, he was picked by the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants for the 2018 Mzansi Super League and moved to the Cape Town Blitz for the 2019 edition, where he finished as the tournament’s sixth-highest wicket-taker.
Later in 2020, he joined the Lions franchise in Johannesburg and had a breakout season. Sisanda Magala was the leading wicket-taker in the domestic one-day and T20 cups in the 2020-21 season before he went on to make his debut for South Africa.
In December last year, he had registered himself in the mini-auction for IPL 2023 but could not get any bid from the ten franchises. It was followed by a fine outing in the inaugural SA20 where he played a key role in Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s march to the title.
He finished the tournament as his team’s second highest wicket-taker, taking 14 wickets. The performance must have played a key role in convincing CSK to sign him up. Magala would now be looking to live up to the expectations and perform well in his maiden IPL season.