Keshav Maharaj is a South African cricketer who plays in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is and is the vice-captain in limited-overs cricket. He also captains Durban’s Super Giants in the SA20.
Maharaj made his first-class debut for KwaZulu-Natal at age 16 in the 2006–07 season. He joined the Dolphins in 2009–10 and toured Bangladesh with South Africa A in 2010, taking 13 wickets in two four-day games and 4 for 12 in a T20 match. He also faced Bangladesh A again in the 2010–11 season.
Maharaj played club cricket in England, featuring for Cuckfield in 2013 and as Nelson’s professional in 2015. He joined Durban Heat for the inaugural Mzansi Super League in 2018 and returned in 2019. He was also named in KwaZulu-Natal’s squad for the 2021–22 season.
In February 2023, he signed with Middlesex for the County Championship and T20 Blast but withdrew due to an Achilles injury. He later played for Fortune Barishal in the 2024 Bangladesh Premier League.
Keshav Maharaj Records and Achievements
Keshav Maharaj made his Test debut in November 2016 and became the first specialist spinner to debut at Perth. In March 2017, he took his first five-wicket haul in Tests against New Zealand. He was named International Newcomer of the Year in 2017.
In July 2018, Maharaj took 9 for 129 in Sri Lanka, the best Test innings figures by a South African in Asia and the best by any visiting bowler in Sri Lanka. His 9-wicket haul was the best by a South African since 1991 and the second-best by any South African in Test history. In October 2019, he took his 100th Test wicket. In September 2021, Maharaj made his T20I debut as captain and took a wicket with his first ball. In August 2025, he took his first ODI five-wicket haul against Australia.
Keshav Maharaj Career Stats
Keshav Maharaj has bowled in 106 Test innings and taken 218 wickets, with a best figure of 9 for 129. He has six four-wicket hauls, twelve five-wicket hauls, and one ten-wicket match. In ODIs, he has bowled in 55 innings and collected 73 wickets, with a best of 5 for 33. In T20Is, he has bowled in 40 innings and taken 38 wickets, with a best of 3 for 27. With the bat, he has played 95 Test innings and scored 1334 runs, with six fifties. In ODIs, he has batted in 31 innings and made 324 runs, hitting 37 fours and 4 sixes.
| Bowling | ||||||
| Format | Inns | Wkts | BBI | 4w | 5w | 10w |
| Tests | 106 | 218 | 9/129 | 6 | 12 | 1 |
| ODIs | 55 | 73 | 5/33 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| T20Is | 40 | 38 | 3/27 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Batting | ||||||
| Format | Inns | Runs | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
| Tests | 95 | 1334 | 0 | 6 | 153 | 29 |
| ODIs | 31 | 324 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 4 |
| Format | Inns | Runs | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
Keshav Maharaj’s Personal Life
Keshav Maharaj was born on 7 February 1990 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, to Athmanand Maharaj and Kanchan Mala. His family has Indian roots, with his great-grandfather coming from Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh before moving to Durban in 1874 as an indentured laborer. His father previously played as a wicketkeeper for KwaZulu-Natal, and he has one sister named Tarisma Mahesan. In April 2022, Maharaj married his longtime partner, Lerisha Munsamy, who is a kathak dancer.
Keshav Maharaj Contract
Maharaj has signed with Leicestershire for the 2026 season. He will play the first two months of the County Championship and then stay on for the full T20 Blast. This move means he will not take part in the 2026 IPL.
Leicestershire have been promoted to Division One for the first time since 2003, and Maharaj will be one of their two overseas players, along with captain Peter Handscomb. Maharaj has played county cricket before for Lancashire and Yorkshire. He joins several new players brought in for the 2026 season.
FAQs
Q. What is the background of Keshav Maharaj?
A. Keshav Maharaj was born in Durban on 7 February 1990 to Athmanand and Kanchan Mala. His ancestors came from Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh, India.
Q. Is Keshav Maharaj’s wife Indian?
A. Yes. Keshav Maharaj’s wife, Lerisha Munsamy, has Indian roots from Uttar Pradesh. She is a trained Kathak dancer and an attorney.
Q. How rich is Keshav Maharaj?
A. Maharaj’s net worth is around $5 million (about 41.6 crore INR).
Q. Is Keshav Maharaj vegetarian?
A. Yes, Maharaj follows a vegetarian diet.
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