South African spinner Keshav Maharaj believes spinners will play a crucial role in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in 2024, in the United States and the West Indies. Keshav Maharaj highlighted that the grounds are improving and the boundaries are getting shorter.
Keshav Maharaj He highlighted the increasing importance of spinners due to improving wickets and shorter boundaries, highlighting their need for control and variety in the team. He hoped that T20 platforms would provide greater opportunities for bowlers.
“Spinners will play a crucial role in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The terrains are improving and the boundaries are getting shorter. “There is a big need to have a player in the team who provides control and variety.” Maharaj told PTI.
“Hopefully, these T20 platforms can give spinners an even bigger role for players coming onto the international stage.” he added.
Keshav Maharaj is currently leading the Durban Super Giants in the second edition of SA20. Maharaj will be in action next when the Super Giants take on Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the final match of the event at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday 10 February.
You have to be street smart to be successful in T20s – Keshav Maharaj
Keshav Maharaj emphasized the importance of being “street smart” to thrive as a left-arm spinner in T20s. He expressed his desire to help young players master finger spin, hoping to inspire them to progress to higher levels in international cricket.
“You have to be street smart to be successful in T20s as a left-arm spinner. Do your homework. “It is necessary for any left-arm, right-arm or finger spinner to complement each other.” Maharaj further stated.
“If I can help youngsters in this art of finger-spinning, I would like to believe that there will be some kind of motivation for them to continue doing it and progress to a higher level in international cricket.”
The 34-year-old bowler has played 27 matches for South Africa in the shortest format of the game. The left-arm spinner has taken 24 wickets at an average of 27.96 and an impressive economy rate of 7.39. His last T20I match was against India in December last year.
South Africa performed well in the 2023 ODI World Cup, securing second place in the group stage. However, their hopes of winning the Trophy were shattered when they lost to Australia in the semi-final. They ended their campaign without winning the title.
In the 2024 T20 World Cup, South Africa is placed in Group D alongside Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Nepal. Their campaign begins against Sri Lanka on June 3, followed by matches against Netherlands and Bangladesh on June 8, and Nepal on June 14.
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