Keshav Maharaj is determined to follow in the footsteps of renowned players at the 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final (WTC).
South Africa will face Australia for the ICC Test Championship crown at Lord’s, the same location where the Proteas won the trophy 13 years earlier.
A legendary South African side, including Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, and Graeme Smith, defeated England at the fabled pitch to become world number one that day, and Maharaj stated that memories are feeding motivation for his team to duplicate the achievement.
“I remember watching that when they lifted the mace,” he told me.
“We know that apart from doing it for us, we want to honour the legends of the past and hopefully we will one day be seen in the same calibre and light to win such a coveted title and hold the Test mace.”
South Africa arrives in London in good form, having won seven consecutive Tests, with their last setback being against New Zealand in February 2024.
That streak propelled the Proteas to the top of the WTC table and instilled much of confidence in the team ahead of the showdown against Australia.
“When we started the journey two years ago, a lot of people didn’t think we’d be in this situation, but with each and every series we grow more and more,” says Maharaj.
“Our combination of youth and experience compliments one other quite well, and we find ourselves vying for another trophy.
“The boys have worked really hard. The excitement is increasing as we get closer, and it’s now time to absorb it all in and enjoy the opportunity to play freely.”
Maharaj is one of several South African players who have come agonisingly close to winning an ICC title in recent years.
The spinner was part of the team that came second in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, and the Proteas also advanced to the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
While the near misses continue to sting, Maharaj is determined to turn them into great experiences.
He stated, “In previous attempts, no one expected us to reach the knockout stages of any competition, but we have reached two semi-finals and two finals.”
“Hopefully, after all of our missed opportunities, we’ll do it right this time. The style of cricket we’ve played over the last three or four years has provided us with a lot of motivation.
“If we run with it and stay true to it, hopefully this is our opportunity to finally raise that most-coveted trophy that has eluded us for a number of years.”
On a personal side, Maharaj is only two wickets away from 200 Test wickets, and while the experienced spinner is willing to exchange individual laurels for team victory, the potential of reaching the milestone at Lord’s is one he cannot ignore.
“It would be very special,” he acknowledged. “I don’t pay too much attention to the numbers; I simply want to help my team win, so I’m hoping for a 10-fer.
“I’ve enjoyed my journey thus far, and hopefully I’ll have a long time left, but to accomplish that goal in front of my family at Lord’s would be quite meaningful.
“Any cricketer always has a bucket list in terms of venues they want to play at, and this is such a wonderful opportunity for all of us.”
India
