In South Africa, few roles in cricket are as demanding—and often as thankless—as that of a spinner in the Proteas’ lineup. While the fast bowlers are rotated for brief, intense spells from one end, often taking the spotlight, spinners like Keshav Maharaj must endure long, exhausting stints under the scorching sun. Yet, Maharaj has consistently demonstrated that he possesses the resilience, skill, and temperament needed to take on this challenging task.
Maharaj’s recent performance in the Test series against the West Indies saw him step out of the shadows and become the main attraction. He ended the series as the leading wicket-taker, claiming 13 wickets at a remarkable average of 16.08. In the first Test, Maharaj bowled an incredible 40 consecutive overs across two days—interrupted only by rain—on a flat pitch, finishing with figures of 4/76. He followed this with another four-wicket haul in the second innings. In the second Test, Maharaj was even more dominant, taking 3/8 and 3/37, leading South Africa to a series victory.
Those 13 wickets also propelled Maharaj past Hugh Tayfield to become South Africa’s most prolific spinner in Test cricket, securing his 171st wicket in the second Test. Following his remarkable performance, Proteas coach Shukri Conrad hailed Maharaj as “Mr. Reliable.”
“Keshav Maharaj is an absolute workhorse and a true professional. He just keeps going, and I’m thrilled that he now holds that record—it’s richly deserved,” Conrad remarked. “He’s invaluable in the changeroom, serving as a great sounding board for both players and coaches. You need people like him when you’re going through a transition.”
At 34 years old, Maharaj remains a vital presence in all formats for the Proteas, showing no signs of slowing down. It’s clear that this tireless “workhorse” has no intention of stepping away from his demanding yet crucial role anytime soon.