Latest news with #Maharaj
Int'l Cricket Council
3 hours ago
- General
- Int'l Cricket Council
Maharaj lauds Proteas' driven youngsters for Test revival
Keshav Maharaj has been a key member in South Africa's journey to The World Test Championship final that began with three losses out of the four Tests in this cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). The Proteas saw through the transition phase with new young players coming in, went on to top the WTC points table and will now take on Australia in the Final at Lord's from 11 June. Only three players in South Africa's World Test Championship final squad have experience of playing 50 Tests or more and Maharaj is one of them. Speaking on the role of a senior ahead of the Ultimate Test, Maharaj felt the core of four-five experienced players have always tried to be a shoulder for them. Keshav Maharaj proud of South Africa's Test resurgence | WTC25 Final Keshav Maharaj hails South Africa's recent rise in Test cricket heading into the World Test Championship Final against Australia. "Since the time the transition came, when the Test side started its journey, we've always been the support and tried to be there to support them both on and off the field. "In terms of this week coming (ahead of the big final), just to settle the nerves, make sure everyone's nice and calm and focused on what we have, the task at hand." Maharaj added that the support was a two-way factor since the young energy augurs well with the brand of cricket that the Proteas aim to play and helped the team transition nicely. "I think they've also been a support for us, bring that sort of new energy, that sort of exuberance of youth. "The exuberance of youth, it filters into the way we play our brand of cricket and probably the reason why we're here today, building up towards the WTC final." The other senior, captain Temba Bavuma, along with coach Shukri Conrad, have kept the boys motivated ahead of the big final with different styles of leadership, reckons Maharaj. "Temba is a good motivator, he reads the game really well and is a brilliant leader on the field," Maharaj added. "But with regards to Shukri, I think he gives you clarity. "He's open and honest, and I think he just allows you to have the freedom to express yourself, be yourself, and just show everyone what you're capable of." Maharaj also felt the experience from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 final will help the team draw the confidence to stand up in big moments. Keshav Maharaj is confident | SA v IND | T20WC 2024 Final "It's just about staying calm, trusting your skill, trusting the hard work, not just now but over the years and years that you've put in, and making sure that we're enjoying it out there. "I think that's one thing that's probably been a standout out of most teams from our Test side, is that the enjoyment factor among each other has been absolutely superb to watch."
Express Tribune
16 hours ago
- General
- Express Tribune
Maharaj surprised by Klaasen's retirement
Keshav Maharaj says it is sad to know that he is walking away. He is still young. Photo: ICC says it is sad to know that he is walking away. He is still young. Photo: ICC South Africa's veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj on Tuesday praised Heinrich Klaasen's significant impact on national cricket and reflected on the defining moments of Klaasen's career. He highlighted Klaasen's skill, resilience and the important role he played in major tournaments despite a relatively short international stint. Speaking in an ICC interview while preparing for the World Test Championship final, Maharaj reacted to Klaasen's surprise retirement decision by lauding the wicketkeeper-batter's influence on the modern game. "He is probably one of, if not the most feared batsmen, especially in the white-ball game these days. Yeah, it is sad to know that he is walking away. He is still young — he is younger than me. But you know, we can only wish him well. I am sure he has his reasons as to why, and you have got to respect that," Maharaj said. Maharaj paid tribute to the retiring Klaasen, recognising the huge void his departure would create in the South African lineup. "It is amazing to see how his journey transitioned — from being in and out of the team, probably not knowing where he stood, to one series that really changed the game. It is a huge boot to fill within the lineup. But I know he'll still be here supporting us and making sure that we get over the line in this game as well," he added. Maharaj recalled the series against Australia in 2020 as a turning point for Klaasen, which marked his rise in ODI cricket. He also remembered Klaasen's heroic performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, describing it as a testament to his world-class talent. He brought us back into the game and gave us a little bit of hope. We probably did not cross the final hurdle, but it was super special to witness the caliber and skill of the player come out in a game of that magnitude. It just shows why he's world-class," he concluded. It is pertinent to mention that South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Klaasen on Monday announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. The decision means Klaasen, who will be 34 next month, played his last game for South Africa in the Champions Trophy semi-final defeat to New Zealand in Lahore in March. Klaasen made his international debut in 2018 during an ODI series against India and went on to represent South Africa across all three formats over a seven-year career. ODIs proved to be his most successful format, where he played 60 matches and scored 2,141 runs at an average of 43.69 and an impressive strike rate of 117.05, including four centuries and 11 half-centuries. Among his standout performances was a blistering 174 off just 83 balls against Australia at Centurion in 2023 — the highest individual score by any batter at No. 5 in ODI history. In T20 Internationals, Klaasen featured in 58 matches, amassing 1,000 runs at a strike rate of 141.84, with five half-centuries to his name. He also appeared in four Test matches, scoring 104 runs at an average of 13.00. The wicketkeeper batter last played for South Africa in March this year during the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal against New Zealand. He was dismissed for just three runs off seven balls, as the Proteas lost the match by 50 runs.
India Gazette
a day ago
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
"He's probably one of, if not the most feared batsman": Keshav Maharaj on Heinrich Klaasen's international retirement
New Delhi [India], June 3 (ANI): After Heinrich Klaasen's retirement from international cricket, South Africa all-rounder Keshav Maharaj hailed the wicketkeeper-batter's influence on the modern game, as per the ICC official website. Heinrich Klaasen stunned the cricketing world on Monday by announcing his decision to step away from international cricket. Widely regarded as one of the most destructive batters of the modern era, Klaasen's international career spanned just seven years, having debuted in 2018. Despite the brevity of his stint, the 33-year-old played a pivotal role in South Africa's white-ball resurgence, helping them reach the semi-finals of the 2023 Cricket World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy, as well as the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Maharaj, who has watched the wicket-keeper batter from close quarters through the years, reflected on what he believes was the turning point in Klaasen's career. 'From a teammate point of view and a cricketing point of view, we know the skill he possesses,' Maharaj said, speaking with the ICC while in preparation for the World Test Championship Final. 'It's amazing to see how his journey's transitioned, where you're sort of in and out, probably not knowing where he stands, and then it just took one series that really changed the game. It was actually against Australia, I remember that ODI series, I think he got two 100s and a 50 [one hundred and two fifties] in that three-match series. And he's never looked back,' Maharaj added. The innings Maharaj referred to came during the home ODI series against Australia in February-March 2020. At the time, Klaasen's ODI career appeared to be on shaky ground, with just 251 runs in 14 matches at an average of a little over 22, with only one score above fifty. That series marked a dramatic turnaround for Klaasen in international cricket, starting with a brilliant unbeaten 123 in the opening match, his maiden ODI century. He followed it up with scores of 51 and 68* as South Africa swept the series 3-0. He finished with 242 runs and was deservedly named Player of the Series. Maharaj paid tribute to the retiring batter, recognising both his influence on South African cricket and the significant void he leaves behind. 'He's probably one of, if not the most feared batsman, especially in the white-ball game these days. Yeah, it's sad to know that he's walking away. He's still young,' Maharaj noted. 'He's younger than me. But, you know, we can only wish him well. I'm sure he has his reasons as to why, and you've got to respect that. Obviously, a huge boot to fill within the lineup. But I know he'll still be here supporting us and making sure that we get over the line in this game as well,' he added. One of the most memorable matches Maharaj and Klaasen shared in recent times was the thrilling ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final against India. Chasing 177 for victory, South Africa were 70/3 in the ninth over when Klaasen walked in and immediately seized the momentum. With a stunning counterattack, he smashed a 27-ball 52, swinging the match in South Africa's favour and reducing the equation to just 26 needed from 24 balls. But the game turned dramatically when Klaasen fell to the very first ball of a new over from Hardik Pandya, a pivotal moment from which South Africa never quite recovered and ended up seven runs short. Looking back at the game, Maharaj said: 'If you look at it, it probably goes down as one of the most special finals. We didn't get over the line, but if it wasn't for that knock, we would have probably lost by a lot more than we did. 'So he brought us back in the game and gave us a little bit of hope. And [we] probably didn't cross the final hurdle, but it was super special to witness the calibre and the skill factor of the player come out in a game of that magnitude. It just shows why he's world-class,' Maharaj concluded. (ANI)
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Siddharth P Malhotra EXCLUSIVE: On Deepika Padukone Vs Sandeep Reddy Vanga I Kapoor Family
Bollywood filmmaker Siddharth P Malhotra sat down for a candid Tête-à-tête with CNN-News18's Vishal Chatkara, where he weighed in on the very trending Deepika Padukone–Sandeep Reddy Vanga controversy. He shared his experience of helming Junaid Khan's debut film Maharaj and also opened up about his close ties with the Kapoor family especially his cherished bond with uncle Rishi Kapoor and his rapport with Ranbir Kapoor. Plus, he spills the beans on Parineeti Chopra's upcoming OTT debut series. Watch the full conversation right here. bollywood news | entertainment news live | latest bollywood news | bollywood | news18 | n18oc_moviesLiked the video? Please press the thumbs up icon and leave a comment. Subscribe to Showsha YouTube channel and never miss a video: Showsha on Instagram: Showsha on Facebook: Showsha on X: Showsha on Snapchat: entertainment and lifestyle news and updates on:
News18
a day ago
- General
- News18
Keshav Maharaj 'Sad To See' Heinrich Klaasen Retire: 'Leaves A Big Gap In...'
Last Updated: Keshav Maharaj praised Heinrich Klaasen's contributions to South African cricket following his retirement after a seven-year career. South African spinner Keshav Maharaj acknowledged the significant void left by his longtime teammate Heinrich Klaasen's retirement from international cricket. Klaasen, one of the modern era's most formidable batters, announced his retirement after a seven-year international career that began in 2018. The 33-year-old played a key role in South Africa's white-ball resurgence, helping the team reach the semi-finals of the 2023 Cricket World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy, as well as the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Maharaj paid tribute to Klaasen's contribution to South African cricket and the considerable gap his departure creates. 'He's probably one of the most feared batsmen in white-ball cricket today. It's sad to see him go," the ICC quoted Maharaj, who is preparing for the World Test Championship Final, as saying. 'He's still young, younger than me, but we can only wish him well. I'm sure he has his reasons, and we must respect that. He leaves a big gap in the lineup, but I know he'll continue supporting us," he added. Maharaj also reflected on a turning point in Klaasen's career. 'From both a teammate's and a cricketing perspective, we know his skill. It's amazing to see his journey, from being in and out of the team to having one series that changed everything. 'It was against Australia. I remember that ODI series; he scored a hundred and two fifties in three matches. He never looked back after that." This pivotal moment occurred during the home ODI series against Australia in February-March 2020. Klaasen's unbeaten 123 in the opening match, his maiden ODI century, followed by scores of 51 and 68* led South Africa to a 3-0 series sweep. Klaasen finished with 242 runs and was named Player of the Series. One of the most memorable moments Maharaj and Klaasen shared recently was the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final against India. Chasing 177, South Africa were 70/3 in the ninth over when Klaasen came in and scored a rapid 27-ball 52, swinging the match in South Africa's favour. The game shifted dramatically when Klaasen was dismissed by Hardik Pandya. Reflecting on the T20 World Cup final, Maharaj said, 'It was probably one of the most special finals. We didn't win, but Klaasen's knock gave us hope. Without it, we would have lost by a much larger margin. 'He brought us back into the game and showed his world-class skills in a high-stakes match. His performance was truly special." (With inputs from IANS) First Published: June 03, 2025, 15:02 IST
