35-year-old Keshav Maharaj, the main spin bowler for South Africa’s national cricket team, broke down in tears after the Proteas won their first ICC trophy in 27 years.
Emotional Moment for Keshav Maharaj
Keshav Maharaj said it was a great honor to be part of the South African team that won the ICC World Test Championship title.
In the match, South Africa won the toss and decided to bowl first. Kagiso Rabada and the rest of the bowlers took full advantage of the cloudy weather and bowled Australia out for 212 runs in 56.4 overs.
However, when it was their turn to bat, South Africa struggled badly. They couldn’t handle the strong Australian fast bowlers and were all out for just 138 runs in 57.1 overs.
In Australia’s second innings, the South African bowlers came out strong again, keeping the Aussie batters under pressure. They had Australia at 73/7, but Mitchell Starc fought back and helped his team reach 207 runs. This gave South Africa a target of 282 runs to win.
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While chasing, Aiden Markram scored a brilliant 136 and captain Temba Bavuma added 66, helping South Africa chase down the target in 83.4 overs to win by 5 wickets.
Heartfelt Exchange with Graeme Smith
Right after the match, an emotional Keshav Maharaj spoke with legendary former South African captain Graeme Smith. Overcome with emotion, Maharaj was in tears during the heartfelt moment.
“It’s special, Graeme. I think tears won’t even describe what we feel right now. It’s just a privilege and honour to be able to lift the coveted title and to be a part of it for everyone else. And everyone back home is super special for us and the boys. And it’s just what our country’s about, to see the unity over the last five days and it’s super special and we’re very grateful as a team, as a nation and as a proud country.”
Keshav Maharaj also thanked the South African fans who came to Lord’s to support the team. He said:
“100 percent. I think without the crowd here today, we probably wouldn’t be in this position over the last four days. So we’re very grateful and thankful to everyone that’s here and from abroad that’s supporting us. Thank you very much.”
When asked if he had imagined being out in the middle to hit the winning runs, an emotional Keshav Maharaj said:
“Obviously I didn’t think that far ahead, but there was an opportunity that could have posed itself. But I think the emotions would have probably spurred me into the right direction.”
Keshav Thanked the Fans Who Made a Difference
In his closing words, Keshav Maharaj again praised the loyal Proteas fans and called the ICC World Test Championship win a sign of better things ahead. He said:
“Just like I said, thank you to everyone that’s here, back home, to everyone around the world that’s been supporting us through adversity. We’ve stood strong as a team and here we are today to raise the trophy that’s eluded us for a number of years. But we honour those before us, to those that are here and to those that have come. We love you, appreciate you and continue supporting us. We’re doing good things as a team and as a country and may this just be the stepping stone of greater things to come.”
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