On June 12, 2025, Keshav Maharaj celebrated his 35th birthday, marking another year of his inspiring cricket journey. Keshav Maharaj is a famous South African cricketer. He is known for his left-arm spin bowling. His story is special because of his Indian roots and his rise to international fame. This article tells the complete biography of Keshav Maharaj in simple words. It covers his early life, family, education, cricket career, and personal life.
Early Life And Family
Keshav Athmanand Maharaj was born on February 7, 1990, in Durban, South Africa. His family belongs to a Hindu background. His ancestors came from India. His great-grandfather was from Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh. In 1874, he moved to Durban as a worker. Keshav’s father, Athmanand Maharaj, was a cricketer too. He played as a wicketkeeper for Natal province. His mother’s name is Kanchan Mala. She is a teacher. Keshav has two sisters, Nashika and Tarisma. His family is close-knit. They follow Hindu traditions. Keshav is proud of his Indian heritage. He often visits temples and celebrates Hindu festivals like Rama Navami.
Keshav grew up in a simple family. His parents taught him discipline and hard work. His father was his first cricket coach. Athmanand saw Keshav’s talent early. He encouraged him to play cricket. Keshav’s family supported his dreams. They helped him focus on cricket from a young age.
Childhood and Education
Keshav started playing cricket at age two. He played in his backyard with his father. At first, he was a fast bowler. He also batted as a right-hander. One day, his father noticed him spinning the ball. He asked Keshav to try spin bowling. Keshav liked it and became a spinner. His father trained him in the nets. Keshav bowled to Indian and Pakistani players his father knew. This helped him improve his skills.
Keshav went to Northwood Boys High School in Durban. This school is famous for producing cricketers like Shaun Pollock. Keshav played cricket for his school team. He was not always fit as a teenager. This caused him to miss some team selections. But he worked hard on his fitness. Later, he joined a college to study a Bachelor of Administration degree. He balanced studies with cricket. His focus was always on becoming a professional cricketer.
Keshav Maharaj Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Wife, Father, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Keshav Athmanand Maharaj |
| Date of Birth | February 7, 1990 |
| Place of Birth | Durban, South Africa |
| Age (as of June 12, 2025) | 35 years |
| Family Background | - Father: Athmanand Maharaj (former cricketer, wicketkeeper for Natal) - Mother: Kanchan Mala (teacher) - Sisters: Nashika, Tarisma - Ancestors: From Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India (moved to Durban in 1874) |
| Religion | Hindu (devotee of Lord Hanuman, celebrates festivals like Rama Navami) |
| Education | - School: Northwood Boys High School, Durban - College: Bachelor of Administration degree |
| Early Life | - Started cricket at age 2 - Initially a fast bowler and right-hand batsman - Switched to left-arm spin on father’s suggestion - Trained by father in backyard and nets |
| Domestic Cricket Debut | - First-Class: 2006 for KwaZulu-Natal vs. Kei (5 wickets) - List A: Nov 5, 2006, for KwaZulu-Natal (3 wickets) - T20: 2010 for Dolphins (1 wicket) |
| International Debut | - Test: Nov 3, 2016, vs. Australia (Perth) (3 wickets, 41 runs) - ODI: 2017 vs. England - T20I: 2021 vs. Sri Lanka (captained, won debut match) |
| Major Achievements | - 9 wickets for 129 runs in a Test innings vs. Sri Lanka (2018) - 2nd South African to take a Test hat-trick (2021 vs. West Indies) - Vice-captain of South Africa (limited-overs, as of 2025) |
| Career Statistics (2025) | - Tests: 57 matches, 198+ wickets - ODIs: 48 matches, 58 wickets - T20Is: 39 matches |
| ICC Rankings (2025) | - Test Bowling: 17th (673 points) - ODI Bowling: 3rd (648 points) |
| Domestic Teams | - Dolphins (South Africa) - Cuckfield (2013, England) - Nelson (2015, Lancashire League) - Lancashire & Yorkshire (2018–19, 38 wickets for Yorkshire) |
| Franchise Cricket | - Rajasthan Royals (IPL, 2024) - Barbados Royals (CPL) - Fortune Barishal (BPL) - Captains Durban’s Super Giants (SA20 League) |
| Personal Life | - Married Lerisha Munsamy (Kathak dancer, beautician) on April 16, 2022 - Met in 2018, engaged Jan 17, 2019 - No children (as of 2025) |
| Hobbies & Interests | - Golf - Cooking (wanted to be a chef) - Charity work with Hollywood Foundation |
| Interesting Facts | - Father knew Sachin Tendulkar & Kiran More - Kiran More predicted Keshav’s international career at age 3 - Role model: Rahul Dravid - Has “Om” symbol on bat, visits temples like Sree Padmanabhaswamy |
| Records | - Best bowling by a South African in Asia (9/129 vs. Sri Lanka, 2018) - 2nd left-arm spinner after Rangana Herath to take 9 wickets in a Test innings - 7th South African spinner to take a five-wicket haul vs. New Zealand (2017) |
Early Cricket Career
Keshav’s cricket journey began early. At age two, he joined the Bakers Mini-Cricket programme. This was a training program for young children. He played as a fast bowler and batsman. By age 12, he was a skilled spinner. His father’s coaching helped him a lot. Keshav played for KwaZulu-Natal Under-15 and Under-19 teams. He showed great talent in these matches.
In 2006, Keshav made his first-class debut. He was only 16 years old. He played for KwaZulu-Natal against Kei. He took five wickets in that match. On November 5, 2006, he debuted in List A cricket. He took three wickets. In 2010, he played his first T20 match for the Dolphins. He took one wicket. Keshav’s early performances were impressive. He worked hard to improve his bowling.
In 2010, Keshav got a big chance. He was selected for the South Africa A team. They toured Bangladesh. Keshav took 13 wickets in two matches. He also took four wickets in a T20 game. This tour showed his potential. He became a regular player for the Dolphins in domestic cricket. His consistent performances caught the attention of selectors.
International Cricket Career
Keshav’s hard work paid off in 2016. He was selected for South Africa’s Test team. He debuted against Australia on November 3, 2016, in Perth. It was a tough match. But Keshav took three wickets. He also scored 41 runs. His debut was promising. In 2017, he played his first One Day International (ODI) against England. He also joined the Champions Trophy squad.
Keshav’s best moment came in 2018. He played a Test match against Sri Lanka. He took nine wickets for 129 runs in one innings. This was a record for a visiting bowler in Sri Lanka. It was also the best by a South African in Asia. In 2021, Keshav made history again. He took a Test hat-trick against West Indies. He was only the second South African to do this. The hat-trick included Kieron Powell, Jason Holder, and Joshua da Silva.
Keshav also played T20 Internationals. In 2021, he debuted against Sri Lanka. Surprisingly, he was made captain for his first T20I match. He led the team to victory. He also played in the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups. In 2023, he was part of the Cricket World Cup squad. Keshav is now the vice-captain of South Africa in limited-overs cricket. He has played 57 Tests, 48 ODIs, and 39 T20Is by 2025. He has taken over 198 Test wickets and 58 ODI wickets.
Domestic and Franchise Cricket
Keshav is a star in domestic cricket. He plays for the Dolphins in South Africa. In 2014-15, he took 44 wickets in a season. In 2016-17, he took 13 wickets in a single match against Warriors. This included seven wickets in one innings. He also scored 72 runs. His team won, and he was named Man of the Match.
Keshav played in many T20 leagues. In 2013, he played for Cuckfield in England. In 2015, he joined Nelson in the Lancashire League. In 2018 and 2019, he played for Lancashire and Yorkshire. He took 38 wickets for Yorkshire in 2019. In 2024, he joined Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He also played for Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League and Fortune Barishal in the Bangladesh Premier League. Keshav captains Durban’s Super Giants in the SA20 League.
Personal Life
Keshav married Lerisha Munsamy on April 16, 2022. Lerisha is a Kathak dancer and beautician. They met through a friend in 2018. They got engaged on January 17, 2019. The couple has no children yet. Keshav and Lerisha share a strong bond. They support each other’s careers.
Keshav follows Hinduism. He is a devotee of Lord Hanuman. He has the “Om” symbol on his bat. He visits temples like Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. He wishes fans on Hindu festivals. Keshav also loves golf and cooking. If he wasn’t a cricketer, he wanted to be a chef. He does charity work with the Hollywood Foundation. He helps poor people in South Africa.
Achievements and Records
Keshav has many achievements. He took a five-wicket haul against New Zealand in 2017. It was only the seventh by a South African spinner against them. His 9 for 129 against Sri Lanka in 2018 is a record. He is the second left-arm spinner after Rangana Herath to take nine wickets in a Test innings. His Test hat-trick in 2021 was historic. Keshav is ranked 17th in ICC Test bowling rankings with 673 points. He is 3rd in ODI bowling rankings with 648 points.
Interesting Facts
Keshav’s father knew Indian cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Kiran More. When Keshav was three, Kiran More predicted he would be an international cricketer. This came true. Keshav’s role model is Rahul Dravid. He was not picked in the 2023 IPL auction. He loves food but worked hard on fitness. He switched from fast bowling to spin by chance in the nets.
### Conclusion
Keshav Maharaj is a talented cricketer. His journey from Durban to international cricket is inspiring. His Indian roots make him special. He is proud of his Hindu faith. His family, especially his father, shaped his career. Keshav’s hard work and skill made him a top spinner. He has broken records and led his team. Off the field, he is a kind person who helps others. Keshav’s story teaches us to dream big and work hard. He is a true role model for young cricketers.