Keshav Maharaj exposed England's batting order in the first of the three-match ODI series against England. The spinner took 4 wickets and helped South Africa to get rid of Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Adil Rashid, and Sonny Baker at Headingley Carnegie. Maharaj developed himself as one of the finest spinners international cricket currently has.

But, shockingly, the Durban-born did not get enough opportunity to shine in the Indian Premier League. Why do IPL franchises need to bring back the experienced spinner into the tournament?

3 reasons why IPL franchises bid for Keshav Maharaj:

Quality spin bowling option: With some of the best spinners in the world well past their prime days, IPL teams may need to invest in the department to increase quality spin bowling options. In the previous season of IPL (IPL 2025), Noor Ahmad was the only spinner in the list of the top 5 most successful bowlers of the campaign; the rest were captured by the pacers, which may be a hint that IPL is lacking in terms of quality spin bowling. 

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Ability to deliver against hard hitters: By taking the wickets of Bethell and Jacks, Maharaj proved again that his spin is also effective against hard-hitting batters. Both of the English batters are young and already are the sensational names in IPL as well. If we take a look at the South African spinner's T20I stats, then the economy rate of 7.33 will definitely give a hint about his effective bowling. In 39 T20Is, he claimed 38 wickets as well. 

Recent form: The 35-year-old has been in outstanding form in his recent matches with South Africa. Before plucking 4 wickets against England, he was brilliant against Australia as well. On August 19, 2025, the bowler clinched 5 wickets during the South Africa vs. Australia ODI match. During a Test match against Zimbabwe, Keshav Maharaj picked up 4 wickets.

South Africa thrashed hosts Australia in the ODI series opener on Tuesday (August 19) at Cairns, claiming a record-breaking ODI win against the hosts Australia. Keshav Maharaj recorded his maiden ODI fifer, which helped the Proteas dominate the game.

After the Australian captain Mitchell Marsh chose to field first, South Africa got a strong start that helped the Proteas score 296/8 in 50 overs. In reply, Australia had a powerful start, but they were bundled out for only 198 runs. South Africa won the match by 98 runs, which was their largest ODI win (by runs) against the hosts Australia. Their previous record was winning by 82 runs in the 1994 WACA ODI. 

South Africa recorded 3 half-centuries

South African openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton had a 92-run partnership for the first wicket. After Rickelton was dismissed for 33 runs, Markram continued his strong innings and scored 82 off 81 balls with nine fours. 

For the third wicket, captain Temba Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke had another 92-run partnership. After Breetzke was out for 57 off 56 balls with seven fours and one six, the visitors lost two more wickets quickly. ODI debutant Dewald Brevis smashed six on the first ball and was caught out on the next ball. 

Captain Bavuma scored 65 runs from 74 balls with five fours. In the late innings, Wiaan Mulder scored a crucial 31 not out off 26 balls with two fours and one six.

Australian spinner Travis Head bagged four wickets in the first innings (4/57). Ben Dwarshuis (2/53) and Adam Zampa (1/58) were the other Aussie bowlers to pick up at least one wicket in that innings. 

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Keshav Maharaj spoiled Aussie party

In reply, Aussie openers Travis Head and skipper Mitchell Marsh provided a powerful start with a 60-run partnership in the first seven overs. However, once the spinners were introduced early in that innings, the visitors started to dominate.

ODI debutant Prenelan Subrayen brought the first blow, as Head was stumped out for 27 off 24 balls with four fours. Then, Keshav Maharaj took the next five wickets, as the hosts were suddenly struggling at 89/6. 

Captain Mitchell Marsh continued his fighting knock with Ben Dwarshuis, who was dropped once by Maharaj. They had a fighting 71-run partnership for the seventh wicket, but it wasn’t enough for the hosts. While Dwarshuis scored 33 off 52 balls with three fours, Marsh scored 88 off 96 balls with 10 fours. 

Maharaj, who recorded his first ODI fifer, had the bowling figures of 10-1-33-5. Also, Nandre Burger (2/54) and Lungi Ngidi (2/28) got two wickets each. 

Spin was the big winner at the 2024/25 Cricket South Africa (CSA) Awards as left-arm tweakers Keshav Maharaj and Nonkululeko Mlaba walked away with the top honours at a glittering ceremony held at Emperors Palace in East Johannesburg.

Maharaj was named Men’s Player of the Year for the second time in his career, while Mlaba made history by becoming the first-ever Women’s Player of the Year, capping off a dominant season with four individual accolades.

Maharaj’s Midas Touch Across Formats

The seasoned Maharaj was a pillar of South Africa’s red-ball success, collecting 40 wickets in seven Tests between August 2024 and January 2025. His season featured standout performances like twin four-fors against West Indies and five-wicket hauls in Chattogram and Gqeberha. He also played a pivotal role at the 2024 T20 World Cup, finishing as South Africa’s third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

While the World Test Championship (WTC) final, which South Africa famously won, wasn’t considered in this judging cycle, Maharaj’s consistent excellence throughout the season ensured he remained at the forefront of South Africa’s cricketing elite.

Mlaba’s Year to Remember

For Nonkululeko Mlaba, 2024/25 was a breakthrough year. The 25-year-old spinner emerged as the most celebrated cricketer of the night, sweeping four awards:

• Women’s Player of the Year
  
• Women’s T20I Player of the Year
  
• Women’s Players’ Player of the Year
  
• Best Delivery Fuelled by KFC
  

Mlaba took 12 wickets at the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup – the second-most in the tournament – and delivered a record-breaking performance against England in December, becoming the only South African woman to take 10 wickets in a Test match. She now ranks as South Africa’s second-highest Test wicket-taker in the women’s game.

Bavuma, Rabada Among Other Big Winners

South Africa’s red-ball skipper Temba Bavuma claimed the Test Player of the Year award following two crucial centuries at home and leadership that guided South Africa to the WTC final. Bavuma also received the Fans’ Player of the Year award.

Pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, despite his iconic nine-wicket haul at Lord’s being outside the judging window, earned recognition from his peers as the Men’s Players’ Player of the Year.

Klaasen, Nortje and Baartman Recognised in White-ball Formats

• Heinrich Klaasen, who topped the run charts during the Pakistan series, bagged the ODI Player of the Year, a fitting farewell after his retirement from international cricket.
  
• Anrich Nortje was named T20I Player of the Year, thanks to his standout showing at the T20 World Cup.
  
• Rising quickly, Ottneil Baartman won Men’s International Newcomer of the Year after impressing with his economy and control during the global T20 tournament.
  

Women’s Awards: Dercksen, Hlubi Take Centre Stage

• Annerie Dercksen, the ICC’s 2024 Newcomer of the Year, was named Women’s ODI Player of the Year. She was the leading run-scorer in the ODI tri-series against India and Sri Lanka and notched her maiden ODI hundred.
  
• Ayanda Hlubi was recognised as the Women’s International Newcomer of the Year after a promising debut season.
  
• All-rounder Nondumiso Shangase was voted Domestic Women’s Players’ Player of the Year.
  

Domestic and Franchise Honours

At the domestic level, Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Titans) won 4-Day Player of the Season, beating top-scorer Jordan Hermann thanks to three centuries in five matches and a match-saving ton in the final. He also bagged the SA20 Batter of the Season for Paarl Royals.

Other domestic winners included:

• Kwena Maphaka (Lions) – T20 Challenge Player of the Season
  
• Jon-Jon Smuts (Dolphins) – One-Day Cup Player of the Season
  
• Dewald Brevis – Domestic Men’s Players’ Player of the Year and SA20 Rising Star of the Season
  
• Marco Jansen – SA20 Bowler and Player of the Season
  

In Division 2:

• Christopher Britz – T20 Knockout Player of the Season
  
• Ernest Kemm – 4-Day Series Player of the Season
  
• Jerome Bossr – One-Day Cup Player of the Season
  

Coaching and Officiating Excellence

• Russell Domingo (Lions) claimed Division 1 Coach of the Year for the second year running.
  
• Ahmed Amla (Kwa-Zulu Natal Inland) was Division 2 Coach of the Year.
  
• In the women's game, Shaun Pretorius (Lions) earned the Hollywoodbets Pro Series Coach of the Year.
  

On-field officials were also acknowledged:

• Allahudien Palekar – CSA Umpire of the Year
  
• Abdoellah Steenkamp – Umpires’ Umpire of the Year
  

A Night to Celebrate South African Cricket

CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki lauded the winners: “Last night we gathered to honour a truly remarkable season of cricket… We not only recognised individual brilliance, but also celebrated the profound depth of cricketing talent we continue to cultivate in South Africa.” As the Proteas gear up to host the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, the CSA Awards served as a fitting reminder of the country's ever-growing cricketing depth and the rising influence of spin across both the men’s and women’s games.

South Africa has suffered a major setback before the second and final Test against Zimbabwe, as acting captain Keshav Maharaj is ruled out with a left groin strain. Maharaj suffered the injury while batting on Day 3 of the opening Test, a game in which he performed magnificently in the absence of regular captain Temba Bavuma. In Maharaj's departure for home for additional medical evaluation, all-rounder Wiaan Mulder has been entrusted with the captaincy for the next encounter in Bulawayo, which will commence on July 6.

The timing is bad for Maharaj, who was playing his first Test as captain. He was impressive in the opening game of the series, taking four wickets with his left-arm spin and contributing a crucial half-century in the second innings. His captaincy and overall performance were instrumental in South Africa's dominant 328-run victory in the first Test.

Mulder Steps Up as Proteas Look to Build on Dominant Start

Mulder, relatively inexperienced as a captain, was one of Harare's top performers. He made a career-high 147 and took four wickets, confirming his status as a potential leader. It will be his first experience of captaining a team in red-ball cricket, but the Proteas camp has no doubts he will rise to the challenge.

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To compensate for Maharaj's unavailability, South Africa has brought in left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy, who has played four Tests and is likely to play a key part in Bulawayo. In another change, pacer Lungi Ngidi, who was on his way to join the team before the second Test, has been released. The decision is meant to provide more game time for promising quicks Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka, and Corbin Bosch, all of whom performed impressively in the first Test.

Even with the reshuffle, South Africa will be looking for a whitewash in the two-match series. The first Test had indicated the depth of their squad, with emerging talents such as Lhuan-dré Pretorius and Bosch delivering when it mattered most. With Mulder leading the attack now, the Proteas will be looking to keep up the momentum and conclude the series on a positive note.

South Africa’s veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj has etched his name into the history books, becoming the first spinner from his country to pick up 200 wickets in Test cricket. The milestone came during the ongoing first Test between South Africa and Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Taking the field as stand-in skipper in Temba Bavuma's absence, Maharaj led from the front both tactically and with the ball. His landmark moment arrived on Day 2 of the Test when he dismissed Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine, who was stumped by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne. That wicket not only pegged back the hosts but also took Maharaj to the coveted 200-wicket mark.

South Africa’s Spin Crown Finds a New King in Maharaj

The achievement is significant in South Africa’s cricketing context, where seamers have traditionally dominated the wickets column. Maharaj is now the first spinner from the country to breach the 200-wicket barrier in the longest format. He surpassed the long-standing record held by Hugh Tayfield, who finished his career with 170 Test wickets.

Cricket South Africa acknowledged the moment with a heartfelt post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter): "HISTORY MADE! Keshav Maharaj claims his 200th Test wicket, the very first South African spinner to reach this milestone. A monumental milestone for our world-class left-arm spinner, written into the history books with pride and passion! This one’s for the ages, Kesh!”

With Bavuma sidelined due to a hamstring strain, Maharaj stepped up to captain the Proteas. He had already impressed with his leadership in domestic circuits, and now has a remarkable achievement to show in his first outing as national Test captain.

On the field, South Africa dominated from the outset. Centuries from Lhuan-dre Pretorius (153) and Corbin Bosch (100*) helped the Proteas post an imposing 418/9 before declaring. Maharaj followed up with a controlled spell of 3/70 in 16.4 overs as Zimbabwe were bundled out for 251. Wiaan Mulder supported with 4/50.

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Consistent Performer Across Conditions

Maharaj’s journey to 200 wickets has been built on persistence, skill, and adaptability. Here's a closer look at his numbers:

• 202 wickets in 59 Tests at an average of 29.62
• 11 five-wicket hauls and 1 ten-wicket match haul
• 86 wickets in 29 home Tests at 30.43
• 115 wickets in 29 away Tests at 28.96
• 1 wicket in a single neutral Test

He has also been a pillar in the domestic circuit with 631 wickets from 166 First-Class matches, including 39 five-wicket hauls, showcasing his sustained excellence in red-ball cricket.

Among South African Greats

With this feat, Maharaj becomes the ninth South African bowler to take 200 or more Test wickets, joining an elite club featuring:

• Dale Steyn (439)
• Shaun Pollock (421)
• Makhaya Ntini (390)
• Kagiso Rabada (336)
• Allan Donald (330)
• Morne Morkel (309)
• Jacques Kallis (291)
• Vernon Philander (224)
  

Notably, Joseph "Hugh" Tayfield, the only other South African spinner with over 150 Test wickets, had held the benchmark for decades with 170 scalps. 

With the milestone behind him and the leadership reins in hand, Maharaj will be looking to further cement his legacy as one of South Africa’s finest ever slow bowlers. His ability to extract turn on all surfaces and lead the side with composure makes him a central figure in the Proteas’ red-ball plans. As the Test continues in Bulawayo, all eyes will remain on Maharaj not just for his wickets, but also for how he marshals his troops in pursuit of a commanding series lead.

Keshav Maharaj, who was born on 7 February 1990 in Durban, South Africa, is an Indian-origin left-arm orthodox spinner with ancestral ties to Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh. One of the most consistent bowlers in South African cricket, he was the supporting pillar of the team that won the 2025 WTC Final, removing Alex Carey and delivering a tight spell in the second innings to support Kagiso Rabada's 9-wicket haul in their record 5-wicket victory over Australia.

South Africa started Day 4 on 213/2, requiring 69 runs to chase the 282-run target. They chased it down successfully in 83.4 overs despite a late fright off Mitchell Starc's 3/66. Aiden Markram's unbeaten 136 (caught by Travis Head off Josh Hazlewood) was the cornerstone of the innings, while David Bedingham (21) and Kyle Verreynne (4)* finished the chase. The win was South Africa's first WTC title and their first ICC trophy since the 1998 Champions Trophy.

"In Hanuman I Trust": Maharaj's Faith and Spiritual Strength
Following the victory, Maharaj attributed Lord Hanuman's favor to his team's success, an indication of his strong spiritual faith. According to his post-match remarks, he attributed his trust in Hanuman for strength, a theme that has characterized his cricketing career. The Times of India reported this.

 

 

 

 

 

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Devotion to Hinduism is nothing new for Keshav Maharaj

Maharaj has consistently expressed his Hindu faith on and off the field. Following South Africa’s 2023 World Cup win over Pakistan, he posted “Jai Shree Hanuman” on social media. In 2024, he declared, “I am a devotee of Lord Hanuman and Lord Ram,” in reference to his entrance song ‘Ram Siya Ram’, which gained popularity among fans.

His bat, emblazoned with the ‘Om’ symbol, went viral during the 2023 World Cup, symbolizing the spiritual strength he draws from his beliefs. From spinning out top batters to inspiring fans with his unwavering faith, Keshav Maharaj stands not just as a cricketer but as a symbol of dedication—both to his craft and to his spiritual roots.

'Om' 🕉 symbol seen on the bat of South African player Keshav Maharaj, Picture goes viral on SM pic.twitter.com/FGxNMF62xK

— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) October 18, 2023

South Africa's spinner Keshav Maharaj was overcome with emotions as the side claimed victory over Australia by 5 wickets in their final match at Lord's to secure the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title, which they had not accomplished for quite the lengthy period of time throughout a jinx. A choking Maharaj struggled to fight back tears with Graeme Smith, who was interviewing him post-match after he held the trophy aloft. Maharaj's raw emotional effects clearly captured the feeling, and he also thought it was appropriate to thank the fans, his teammates, and the nation. "It's special. It's an honor to lift the cup for everyone out here and at home. It's what the country is about, the unity amongst everyone in the last five days," Maharaj said with obvious emotion in his voice. The accomplishment represented more than just another sporting accomplishment; it was also a moment to reflect on past victories and a moment of dignity and honor for the players. It represented resilience and unity in their nation and their hope for future victories.

The WTC final was a reflection of South Africa's spirit, with the team starting Day 4 needing only 69 runs to be crowned champions. With Aiden Markram already at a century and Temba Bavuma with a 50 from Day 3, the chase was looking decidedly comfortable. There was a shake-up in momentum despite early wickets from Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc taking out Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs. Once again, Markram's confidence was shining through with a magnificent 136 before Travis Head produced an extraordinary catch that halted Markram's innings. All that was left for Kyle Verreynne and David Bedingham was to add the last few runs needed for victory. It was a win celebrated by millions back at home and an occasion of great pride for South Africa, demonstrated through tears of joy.

Keshav Maharaj , the only Indian-origin player to touch the WTC trophy.

His Interview with graham smith can make Even Adult Cry 🥲

Congratulations South Africa 🇿🇦 and Captain Temba For making this History.#WtcFinal2025#SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/3aZYGK3AZl

— Devendra Soni (@DevendraSo37461) June 14, 2025

Also Read: [WATCH] WTC Final SA vs AUS: Relive History in the Making as South Africa win ICC title after 27 years

Maharaj’s Tears Represent a Nation’s Journey 

Maharaj’s emotional breakdown during the interview distilled the enormity of what had just been accomplished. While Smith attempted to ask him questions, Maharaj's gratitude flowed, saying, “Thanks to everyone that’s been supporting us; through adversity we’ve stood tall," despite his voice cracking. It is safe to say this occasion was a first for the WTC mace, but more than just the trophy, it served as a culmination of so many years of disappointments and heartbreak, and finally, this moment has turned into triumph. For the first time, South Africa is elevating the WTC mace; it represents something bigger than just a box on a statistical sheet. By lifting this mace, South Africa is sending its message of hope and how we can unite in that. 

The cricket community reacted immediately. Fans and analysts were each touched by Maharaj's spontaneity and an unfiltered display of emotion. In a pool of tears, Maharaj's tears represented more than just the emotions attached to the trophy; a whole nation’s journey in unison drew from the common aspirations, beliefs, and sacrifices made and witnessed. Seeing South Africa win was as much a celebration of Maharaj's tears as it was of the hard-fought championship. 

As South Africa looks ahead, this victory captured under Temba Bavuma is heralded as the foundation for new achievements, so Maharaj's statements would not be taken as a light promise of more great things to come. The imagery of Maharaj crying on camera will etch itself in memory as the representation of a team and nation that never gave up, and indeed, South African cricket's future lies ahead.

TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has witnessed some significant squad changes, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) making key replacements to bolster their respective lineups. Allah Ghazanfar and Keshav Maharaj added a new dimension to the teams, sparking excitement among fans and pundits alike.

Allah Ghazanfar Joins Kolkata Knight Riders

To strengthen their spin department, Kolkata Knight Riders have named Allah Ghazanfar the replacement for the injured Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The 16-year-old offspinner from Afghanistan brings youthful energy and potential to the KKR squad, marking a significant addition to their roster.

See Also: IPL 2024: Netizens welcome Riyan Parag 2.0

With appearances in 2 ODIs and a handful of T20s and List A matches, Ghazanfar has showcased his talent and potential to become a future star. His inclusion in the KKR squad adds depth to their spin bowling options and provides them with a promising talent for the future. He joins KKR for his base price of INR 20 Lac.

Reason for Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s Replacement

The decision to replace Mujeeb Ur Rahman was necessitated by his injury, which left a void in the KKR lineup. Rahman’s absence is a blow to the team, but the addition of Ghazanfar provides them with a fresh perspective and new opportunities in the tournament.

Keshav Maharaj’s Inclusion in Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals have bolstered their bowling attack by adding South African cricketer Keshav Maharaj to their squad instead of Prasidh Krishna. Maharaj brings a wealth of experience and versatility to the team, enhancing their options in both bowling and batting departments.

Keshav Maharaj, a seasoned campaigner in international cricket, boasts an impressive record across all formats. South African cricketer, has played 27 T20Is, 44 ODIs and 50 Tests and has scalped 237 wickets in international cricket. Additionally, he has played 159 T20s, picking up 130 wickets and can chip in with some handy runs. RR have brought him on board for his base price of INR 50 Lac. His presence will support the team’s existing spin options and strengthen their bowling lineup.

Reason for Prasidh Krishna’s Replacement

Prasidh Krishna’s absence due to injury prompted Rajasthan Royals to seek a replacement to maintain the balance of their squad. While Krishna’s absence will be felt, Maharaj’s inclusion offers the team added depth and flexibility in their bowling strategy.

Rajasthan Royals faced a setback with the withdrawal of star Australian spinner Adam Zampa due to personal reasons. Zampa’s absence leaves a void in the team’s spin department, but with Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal in the squad, they need more resources to fill the gap.

Role of Keshav Maharaj in Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals will likely utilize Keshav Maharaj as a backup spin option alongside their primary spinners. With his experience and skill set, Maharaj adds depth to the team’s bowling lineup and provides valuable support in crucial situations.

Rajasthan Royals updated squad: Sanju Samson (c & wk), Jos Buttler (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal, Riyan Parag, Navdeep Saini, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Trent Boult, Donovan Ferreira, Kuldeep Sen, Kunal Rathore, Avesh Khan, Rovman Powell, Shubham Dubey, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Abid Mushtaq, Nandre Burger, Keshav Maharaj.

Kolkata Knight Riders updated squad: Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Varun Chakravarthy, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma, Vaibhav Arora, KS Bharat (wk), Chetan Sakariya, Mitchell Starc, Angkrish Raghvanshi, Ramandeep Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Manish Pandey, Gus Atkinson, Sakib Hussain, Allah Ghazanfar. 

Dale Steyn, a former South African fast bowler, commented that “Captains could be top class bowlers”, while giving an example of Keshav Maharaj’s leadership for Durban Super Giants in the SA20 2024 league. In group stage matches Maharaj won seven out of ten matches, thus taking them to the final where they lost to SunRisers Eastern Cape by 89 runs. Throughout the tournament, he showed exceptional skills in his leadership role.

In his talk with TOI, Steyn said “South Africa has got a gem like Keshav Maharaj. At present he is captaining Durban Supergiants and he is doing a fantastic job.” His captaincy exploits were highlighted by Steyn.

Bowlers as Captains: Maharaj’s Leadership

“Maharaj has also captained South Africa in white-ball cricket 12 times and boasts an excellent record, especially in T20Is,” said Steyn. During T20Is however Proteas have never been defeated since this young man became their leader at the age of 34 years; they have won four out of five games played with one No Result. Nevertheless, his ODI record does not speak as well with two victories from seven games as skipper.

Steyn, however, alluded to the intellectual aspect of captaincy which requires both strategizing and understanding the opponents. In his discussion, he also mentioned Kapil Dev, Wasim Akram, Imran Khan and Anil Kumble amongst many other famous names who were former bowlers or bowling all rounders that have captained their respective sides with much success over the years.

Steyn’s Perspective: The Role of Bowlers in Leadership

“Bowlers are thinking cricketers,” Steyn observed. “They can read players better than anyone else.” The next one is a bit harder. You must be able to manage your workload as well as when you should not bowl or bowl in addition to handling injuries.

Furthermore, Steyn praised Pat Cummins for being an exemplary leader and noted that he had stated “Pat Cummins has found this really good.” He added: “I think what Pat’s done now is pretty extraordinary actually.” During his tenure as captain, Cummins won some iconic matches for Australia including clinching the WTC title and ODI world cup which showed his versatility as a player across multiple formats.

Finally, fast bowlers tend to attract more injuries compared batters who might captain their teams. This notwithstanding, Cummins’ stewardship performance exhibits how bowlers can prosper in senior positions at cricket’s highest level.

Six months ago, Keshav Maharaj found himself on the grass when he hurt himself on a celebratory run after dismissing Kyle Mayers. The injury was found to be a rupture of his Achilles Tendon and Keshav Maharaj was set for a long spell on the sidelines. Rupturing an Achilles tendon normally keeps a player out for nine months to an year. Keshav Maharaj though is back on the field with only a slight limp giving the audience a clue that he is coming back from a long injury layoff.

With some really good rehabilitation methods and improvements in medical science, Keshav Maharaj has made the most unlikeliest of comebacks. He went through a surgical procedure in the gap and went limp shortly after the injury with Keshav Maharaj losing control of his leg shortly after the injury. At that stage, Keshav Maharaj was their first-choice spinner for the World Cup, bowling through the innings and occasionally taking the new ball as well to bowl some tight overs upfront.

With a county stint and some offers overseas, Keshav Maharaj finally was stopped from playing. Going under the knife was his only option and with the World cup looming the prospect of not making it in time would have had an effect on any player psychologically. Keshav Maharaj though did not give up. He went in with some unorthodox training methods, modified his diet and the recovery process went as smoothly as it could in the minimal time, with Keshav Maharaj going through a tough period.

As his recovery took shape Maharaj could see the World Cup clearly and chances of him making it looked more likely, although playing through full fitness would be a question. Workload though became the next concern. Bowling ten overs and being out on the field for fifty overs is something that can be questionable while coming off a long injury lay-off.

Keshav Maharaj though had a chance to prove his ability in the Australia ODIs and he is succeeding so far. Three ODIs in, Keshav Maharaj has managed a spell where he choked the Aussies, and has also looked very good in the field barring the slight limp that is present due to the after effects of his injuries. His hard work though has paid off with Keshav Maharaj finding his name in the World Cup squad and his spells are going well against Australia, giving him a lot more confidence.