Keshav: Proteas are in India to compete
IN many ways the Proteas’ tour of India is not only the start of a new era for the management staff and fresh group of players, but also for Keshav Maharaj.
The left-arm spinner is just six wickets shy of 100 Test scalps, which includes five five-wicket hauls already all claimed at the impressive average of 28, but can only now begin to look forward to a regular spot in the starting XI.
Although highly-valued by captain Faf du Plessis, and termed “South Africa’s best spinner ever” by former teammate Duanne Olivier, it always seemed that Maharaj was one selection meeting away from being left out under previous coach Ottis Gibson.
This was, of course, due to the West Indian’s love affair with fast bowlers and green pitches, particularly during home series, which often meant Maharaj was deemed surplus to requirements.
But with the Proteas set to tackle the World No 1 Test side India in their own backyard from this week under interim team director Enoch Nkwe, the tide has turned dramatically with Maharaj – particularly due to the 29-year-old’s impressive record – now central to the visitors’ hopes of avenging a 3-0 defeat in India the last time they toured the country in 2015.
“If you look at the freshness in the side, there is a hell (of a) lot of a new faces and that can work for us. There is no point looking back and things may not go our way. We are here to compete,” Maharaj said. “But you can only judge me on performances during this series although it is nice that people talk highly of you. I’m just trying to do my business and if I go under the radar doing my business, trying to contribute towards team victories and series victories, I’m on the right path.
“Maybe when I retire you can make such statements (about being SA’s best spinner). I am just trying to take care of my business.”
Part and parcel of taking “care of business” on this trip is facing up to India’s much-vaunted batting unit, led by their captain Virat Kohli, who is dominant against all forms of spin.
Maharaj has, though, learnt from previous tours to the subcontinent, namely Sri Lanka last year that he need not fear the opposition or get overly excited by the spin-friendly conditions. He simply needs to remain patient and stick to the basics, just like India’s spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.
“I just want to try and be consistent,” said Maharaj. “You got to expect the ball to turn in the subcontinent 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. It is a challenge that I always like.”