Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik believes South Africa have unearthed a gem player in Kwena Maphaka, claiming that they must protect him to the fullest. Karthik, who will take part this year in SA20 for the first time, added that the left-arm pacer has all the skillsets to be the top bowler in the coming years as well. Having first grabbed eyeballs during the U19 World Cup last year, he has played in all three formats for South Africa as well.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, he said: “He’s a special player. You can see that in the way he bowls. He’s got the skill sets to be the superstar that I expect him to be. South Africa have found a gem, and they need to protect him. He needs to learn how to take care of his body.”The one thing that will happen as he grows is he could drop pace and he doesn’t want to do that. So, how he takes care of his body is important. But mentally, every time he gets on the park, it should be about doing everything possible to win the game for the team.”

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Dinesh Karthik further added that he hopes to see knowledge getting transferred on both ends as well.

“They’re two ends of the spectrum, aren’t they? He’s just starting his career and I’m near the end of mine. Now my role is to make sure I’m there for the tough moments when the game is on the line, and that I’m doing something special to help the team.”I really wish that this experience and this youthful exuberance meet somewhere in the middle and something special is created. Knowledge learnt is one side of it, but knowledge shared is a lot more fruitful,” Dinesh Karthik concluded.