Keshav Maharaj adopts a “Royal” persona after the most recent IPL contract revelation

Keshav Maharaj’s summer vacation to India was not without an IPL (Indian Best League) contract. On Thursday, March 28, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) signed the best left-arm off-spinner from South Africa to replace injured bowler Prasidh Krishna.

In the video that the Rajasthan Royals released after Maharaj signed, the captain of Durban’s Super Giants is heard saying, “Namaste! Only a Maharaj worthy of the title is a royal.”

Rajasthan’s spin attack is strengthened by Maharaj’s selection in lieu of an injured Prasidh Krishna, despite it not being a like-for-like replacement. Prasidh is now undergoing therapy after having surgery on his left proximal quadriceps tendon.

With a run average of only 7.30 per over, Maharaj was the most effective spinner in South Africa during the second SA20 season. With his wealth of expertise, Rajasthan can play him on the field with plenty of turns. In 27 Twenty20 internationals for South Africa, the 34-year-old spinner claimed 24 wickets at an economy rate of 7.38.

Rajasthan, meanwhile, is maintaining their position as the second-place team in the points table with a net run rate (NRR) of 0.800 and four points from two victories. On Thursday, March 28, they beat the Delhi Capitals (DC) by a score of 12 runs, winning their second straight game at home.

In Rajasthan’s second match, Riyan Parag was the team’s hero as he hit an undefeated 45-ball 84 to help the team reach 185, which ultimately proved to be the winning total.

The Rajasthan Royals’ 2024 IPL team roster:

The following players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c/wk), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Tanush Kotian, Shubham Dubey, Kuldeep Sen, Navdeep Saini, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Keshav Maharaj, Donovan Ferreira, Abid Mushtaq, and Kunal Singh Rathore