Devotional music taking center stage at a cricket ground is a rare occurrence, but when Keshav Athmanand Maharaj steps in, the in-stadium DJ receives a special request: to play the song "Ram Siya Ram Jai Jai Ram." Interestingly, the request comes directly from Maharaj himself, the South African left-arm spinner, prompting a light-hearted comment from India's skipper KL Rahul during a recent ODI series in South Africa.
In a unique moment during the Cape Town Test, as Maharaj walked in to bat, Virat Kohli was seen standing with folded hands, showing a gesture of respect. Maharaj, the Durban Supergiants skipper in the upcoming SA20, revealed that he personally requested the song to be played, emphasizing that Lord Ram is his greatest strength.
"For me, God has been my greatest blessing, and if I get an opportunity, it's the least I can do. It gets you in the zone and earns respect from other players. Respecting religion and culture is important, but it's a nice feeling to hear 'Ram Siya Ram' being played in the background," Maharaj shared during an interview.
Looking ahead to the second edition of SA20, Maharaj expressed confidence in his team's capabilities, highlighting the balanced squad and the excitement to see players in action. Regarding his role as a captain, he emphasized the importance of assessing conditions and making tactical decisions to lead the team effectively.
With an impressive record of 158 wickets from 50 Tests, Maharaj is acknowledged as one of the most effective slow bowlers for Proteas. Despite sometimes not receiving the recognition he deserves, especially in conditions less suited to his bowling style, Maharaj remains focused on contributing positively to the team.
Living in a cricket world that often celebrates fast bowlers, Maharaj stays true to his old-school spin-bowling approach, relying on flight to take wickets. He attributes his confidence to years of hard work, preparation, and an evolving mindset that aligns with the changing dynamics of the game.
"I trust my processes and analysis work that I do, but most importantly, because of all the hard yards I have done. It's not always going to pay off, but it looks good, and it's starting to pay off," Maharaj concluded.
(With Agency Inputs)
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