Sports

Maharaj Tops ODI Bowlers After First Five Wicket Haul

Published

2 weeks ago

August 21, 2025

Chiraag

Keshav Maharaj celebrating five wicket haul, Proteas spinner, ODI cricket, world number one bowler, South Africa versus Australia, Joburg ETC

How a seasoned spinner made a late-career landmark feel like a homecoming

When Keshav Maharaj claimed his first five-wicket haul in One Day Internationals, it didn’t just break a personal milestone. It signalled a remarkable resurgence. At 35, the left-arm spinner notched figures of 5 for 33 against Australia in Cairns. South Africa walked away with a 98-run victory, and Maharaj walked into the number one spot in the world ODI bowling rankings.

A milestone earned, not chased

Maharaj’s reaction summed it up best. “I’m not someone who bowls for fivers. I’m process driven, so it was more a sigh of relief to finally tick the box.”

He judges himself on consistency and subtle accuracy, not headline-grabbing moments. After 49 ODI appearances, that five-wicket haul may have come later than expected, but it was no accident. It was a masterclass in patient, purposeful bowling.

At the top of his game

That performance didn’t just draw applause. The ICC rankings confirmed it. Maharaj leapfrogged past the likes of Maheesh Theekshana and Kuldeep Yadav to reclaim the top spot in the ODI bowling world. For someone so often considered a red ball specialist, this was a moment of white ball authority.

A quiet leader across formats

Maharaj’s credentials run deep. He has more than 200 Test wickets and was a vital part of South Africa’s World Test Championship triumph at Lord’s earlier this year. Many already consider him the best South African spinner since the country’s return to international cricket. This latest achievement adds another layer to that legacy.

Dreaming bigger, staying grounded

For Maharaj, this wasn’t the peak. “You dream of playing international cricket. You dream of putting in match-winning performances. And the dreams keep building.”

His goal now is to win more trophies in white ball formats and continue raising the bar for future South African spinners. He doesn’t see age as a barrier. He sees it as a platform.

Always a student of the game

Even with his years of experience, Maharaj remains a learner. “The day I stop learning is the day I have to walk away.” He regularly bounces ideas off younger players and watches cricket obsessively. He believes the game evolves constantly, and he wants to evolve with it.

Looking ahead

With the second ODI set for Mackay this Friday, the Proteas will be looking to close out the series. Maharaj’s form, leadership, and calm under pressure will be central to that goal. Whether or not he takes another five, he’s already proving that intelligence and craft can outlast speed and flash.

In a cricket world that often rewards spectacle, Keshav Maharaj is a reminder that discipline and detail still matter. And sometimes, they take you all the way to the top.