Maharaj may play against India

With a green surface expected, there were doubts about the possibility of South Africa going in with an allpace attack of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada. That could still happen, but coach Ottis Gibson hinted this week the Proteas were prepared to sacrifice a genuine allrounder in Andile Phehlukwayo or Chris Morris before they could ignore Maharaj. 

While the wicket may look green on the surface, the sun has been baking down on it all week and it could very well give the spinners something to work with as the match wears on.Maharaj, though, will always have a role to play in this South African lineup regardless of what the pitch does. 

He has the ability to be both attacking and defensive depending on the situation, and his accuracy is undoubtedly his biggest attribute. With the quicks expected to do the bulk of the damage, skipper Faf du Plessis will expect Maharaj to build pressure from one end, especially in the second innings. 

Gibson said this week that Maharaj was the best Test spinner South Africa have had in a long time, and that is a sentiment shared by Proteas seamer Vernon Philander. “Keshav has an amazing record and I think he’s going to settle in well with the three seamers that he has working with him,” Philander said. 

“He’s a world class bowler and he’s been bowling well for 24 months. I can’t see that changing any time soon.” Maharaj has played 14 Tests since making his debut in Australia back in November 2016 and has already bagged 56 wickets.