Ahead of the three-match Test series against the hosts India, South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has praised the two Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Maharaj wants to emulate their consistency level in this upcoming Test series.
Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and the left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja both are very successful spinners in international cricket. Keshav Maharaj has claimed that their consistencies in bowling are the key to their success. The 29-year-old Maharaj also wants to emulate this consistency level in the forthcoming Test series.
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Maharaj said, “It is nice that people speak highly of you. Look at Jadeja and Ashwin. Ashwin has got a lot of variations and Jadeja keeps it simple but the key is consistency and that make it uncomfortable for the batsmen. I can (want to) emulate that going forward and do my job from one end.”
Keshav Maharaj has played 25 Tests where he has taken 94 wickets. It is going to be his first-ever Test experience in India. Maharaj is ready to take the challenge against the strong Indian batsmen. He feels that this series will evaluate his bowling skills properly.
Maharaj added, “You got to expect the ball to turn in the sub-continent and that is why people carry an extra spinner here. As far as bowling to Indian batsmen goes, you can only test yourself against the best. The series will tell me how good I am and if I belong here in international cricket.”
Besides spin, reverse swing will be key – Keshav Maharaj
The left-arm spinner also believes that the reverse-swing will also be the key in this series. Maharaj has added that the South African team is ready for the reverse-swing as they have the top quality pacers like Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi.
He claimed, “Besides spin, reverse swing will be key. Every bowling unit everywhere in the world likes to utilise if reverse swing is available. India have got strong bowlers including Mohammad Shami, who is unplayable at times. If it starts to reverse, then we have also got amazing bowlers, who can utilise the conditions.”
India have enough quality to replace Jasprit Bumrah
Just before the beginning of this Test series, Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out from this Test series due to the minor stress fracture. The 25-year-old Bumrah is currently the no.3-ranked bowler in Test cricket. Maharaj feels that it is a big loss for India but India have enough quality to replace him.
The left-arm Proteas spinner said, “It is a big loss for India. He has turned the whole Test side for India in terms of playing in various conditions but lets face it India have enough quality to replace him. Umesh Yadav is another world class bowler.”
In their last India tour, Indian spinners totally outclassed the Proteas batsmen. Maharaj feels that the strong batting will be important for their success in this series. In the recent three-day tour game, South African batsmen Aiden Markram (100), Temba Bavuma (87*) and Vernon Philander (48) scored good runs.
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Maharaj quoted, “It was important that our batters got some time in the middle. They have been working on how to tackle Indian conditions and it is nice to get a hit.”
This South African Test side has a lack of experience. However, Maharaj feels that it can work for them in this Test series.