Keshav Maharaj Cricket Player Profile

Keshav Maharaj is a professional Cricket player representing South Africa. Born on 1990-02-07 , they operate primarily as a Bowler on the field. Over the course of their career, Keshav Maharaj has featured for South Africa, Dolphins, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Durban Super Giants, Lancashire, Yorkshire, South Africa A, Fortune Barishal, Barbados Tridents, Pretoria Capitals, Dubai Capitals, Texas Super Kings, Glasgow Cosmics different teams, including national setups, top-tier domestic sides, and competitive franchise leagues. Known for their tactical execution and steady presence as a Bowler, they remain an integral figure across all formats and tournaments they compete in.

Keshav Maharaj is a South African left-arm orthodox spinner who has become a regular in the national side across formats. A bowler by role, he bats right-handed and has also contributed useful runs from lower down the order. His career has included a prominent Test bowling performance in Sri Lanka and a hat-trick against the West Indies, alongside leadership duties for South Africa.

Profile

Maharaj made his first-class debut for KwaZulu-Natal in 2006 and joined the Dolphins in 2009. During a 2014–15 match against the Cape Cobras, he took 6 for 58 and 10 for 145, helping the Dolphins win. In the opening match of the 2016–17 season, he scored 72 and took 13 wickets against the Warriors, including 7 for 89 and 6 for 68.

Maharaj made his Test debut against Australia in November 2016, taking three wickets, and made his ODI debut against England in May 2017. In July 2018, he took 9 for 129 against Sri Lanka, his best innings figures in Tests. He claimed South Africa’s second Test hat-trick in June 2021, against the West Indies. He made his T20I debut as South Africa’s captain in September 2021 and took a wicket with his first ball in the format.

After an Achilles tendon injury in 2023, Maharaj returned in time to play in the Cricket World Cup in India. He was South Africa’s lead spinner at the tournament and was ranked the world’s top ODI bowler in November 2023. South Africa won the 2023–2025 World Test Championship, and Maharaj has captained the national side in multiple matches.

IPL Career

Maharaj made his Indian T20 League debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2024.

He played for Mumbai Indians in 2026 after joining the franchise as a replacement player.

Records

Maharaj became the first specialist spinner to make his Test debut at Perth, against Australia in November 2016.

His 9 for 129 against Sri Lanka in July 2018 were the best Test innings figures by a visiting bowler in Sri Lanka and by a South African in Asia at the time.

Maharaj took South Africa’s second-ever Test hat-trick, and its first since 1960, against the West Indies in June 2021.

FAQs

What is Keshav Maharaj’s bowling style?

He is a left-arm orthodox spin bowler.

When did Keshav Maharaj make his Test debut?

He made his Test debut against Australia on 3 November 2016.

Has Keshav Maharaj played in the Indian T20 League?

Yes. He made his debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2024 and played for Mumbai Indians in 2026.

What was Keshav Maharaj’s Test hat-trick milestone?

He took South Africa’s second-ever Test hat-trick, against the West Indies in June 2021.