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Keshav Maharaj Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 6, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth7 February 1990

Age35 Years

BirthplaceDurban, Natal Province, South Africa

ProfessionCricketer (Bowler)

NationalitySouth African

Marital statusMarried

SpouseLerisha Munsamy

FamilyFather: Athmanand Maharaj; Mother: Kanchan Mala; Sisters: Nashika, Tarisma

Keshav Maharaj Biography

South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has built a reputation as a key bowling allrounder for his country and in domestic leagues. Born and raised в

Early life and background

Keshav Athmanand Maharaj was born on 7 February 1990 in Durban, in the Natal Province of South Africa. He comes from a cricketing family: his father, Athmanand Maharaj, played as a wicketkeeper-batsman for the Natal province and later worked in sport administration in KwaZulu-Natal. Maharaj’s family traces its roots to India, and he grew up in Durban where he attended Northwood Boys High School. He began playing cricket very young and was coached by his father, who recognised his potential and steered his development from seam bowling toward left-arm spin.

Maharaj’s upbringing included early exposure to established cricketers through his father’s connections. He was involved in youth development programs and featured in KwaZulu-Natal age-group teams as he progressed through local pathways.

Career

Maharaj made his first-class debut for KwaZulu-Natal in November 2006 and shortly afterwards debuted in List A and domestic T20 cricket. Early in his career he overcame fitness setbacks that initially kept him out of the South Africa Under-19 setup; he later represented South Africa A on the 2010 tour to Bangladesh and developed his craft further with club stints in England.

His international career began in Test cricket when he was selected to replace an injured Dale Steyn for the tour of Australia, making his debut at the WACA in Perth in November 2016. Despite conditions that typically favour pace, he produced notable contributions with both bat and ball in that match. Maharaj’s ODI debut came in May 2017 against England, and he made his T20 international debut in September 2021 against Sri Lanka.

Across formats he has recorded multiple landmark performances: a first Test five-wicket haul in March 2017 against New Zealand; a ten-wicket Test match in July 2018 against Sri Lanka; and his first Test half-century in October 2019 versus India. He is also the second South African bowler to take a Test match hat-trick, achieved in June 2021 against the West Indies.

Maharaj has featured domestically for KwaZulu-Natal and the Dolphins and has played club and county cricket in England, representing teams such as Cuckfield, Nelson, Lancashire and Yorkshire. In franchise cricket he has been part of Durban Heat and the Durban’s Super Giants (Durban Super Giants), turning out in the SA20 League and being appointed captain of the Durban Super Giants for the 2024 season.

He has taken leadership roles for South Africa as well: in September 2021 he captained the ODI and T20I sides on a Sri Lanka tour, and he served as vice-captain for South Africa during the 2023 ODI World Cup. He played in the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups, contributing wickets across matches in both tournaments. On 17 September 2023 he recorded a four-wicket haul against Australia.

Public profile

Maharaj bats right-handed and bowls slow left-arm orthodox. He wears jersey number 16 for South Africa. Physically he is listed at approximately 1.78 m (5'10") and around 65 kg. Off the field he pursues interests in cooking—running a food blog and appearing on local radio cooking segments—and enjoys travelling, swimming, reading and golf.

His personal life has been public: he began a relationship with Lerisha Munsamy in 2018, they became engaged in January 2019, married on 16 April 2022, and she is described as a dancer and beautician. Maharaj’s parents are Athmanand Maharaj and Kanchan Mala; he has two sisters, Nashika and Tarisma.

Maharaj’s cultural background and faith are part of his public identity. He follows Hinduism, observes festivals, and has been publicly associated with Hindu symbols on his equipment during international play, which drew positive attention in October 2023. He has also been involved in charitable activities in partnership with the Hollywood Foundation.

Latest updates

In recent years Maharaj continued to be an integral figure for South Africa across formats. He was vice-captain at the 2023 ODI World Cup, captained Durban Super Giants in SA20 2024, and added a notable four-wicket performance against Australia in September 2023. His ongoing domestic and international contributions, leadership roles and off-field pursuits in cooking and charity remain part of his public profile.
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Recent Work

Durban Super Giants (Captain)

Named captain for the Durban Super Giants in the SA20 2024 season; played for the team in the 2022 and 2023 SA20 editions.

2024
South Africa vice-captain (ODI World Cup)

Served as vice-captain for South Africa during the 2023 ODI World Cup.

2023
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Career Highlights

  1. Made Test debut at WACA, Perth in November 2016
  2. First Test five-wicket haul in March 2017 vs New Zealand
  3. First Test ten-wicket match in July 2018 vs Sri Lanka
  4. Second South African to take a Test hat-trick (June 2021)
  5. Captain of Durban Super Giants (SA20 2024)
  6. Vice-captain of South Africa in the 2023 ODI World Cup
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Keshav Maharaj born?

7 February 1990

What is Keshav Maharaj known for?

Cricketer (Bowler)

What is Keshav Maharaj’s marital status?

Married

Who is Keshav Maharaj married to?

Lerisha Munsamy