Maharaj and Lyon resume their bromance, ten years after first meeting

Cricknation Update: Maharaj and Lyon resume their bromance, ten years after first meeting SA spinner talks about watching and learning from his Australian counterpart, whose brain he tries to pick “as much as possible” The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India vs Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 The smile of a champion – Mohammed Siraj picked up five wickets in a ten-ball period, India vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup final, Colombo, September 17, 2023 Alyssa Healy poses with the trophy after Australia retained the Ashes, England vs Australia, 3rd ODI, Women’s Ashes, Taunton, July 18, 2023 Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Chandigarh, Chandigarh hpens to be India’s first planned city and it does show, Uploaded on 27 November 2001.

The target of 406 India were faced with didn’t seem to perturb the fans, who knew they would still win, and then it was just a matter of waiting for and celebrating the milestones India coach also felt that wickets offering so little for bowlers were “not fair”, making it difficult for them to have a meaningful impact on the game Ravindra Jadeja has a chat with Kuldeep Yadav and Shubman Gill, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 Stats highlights from Guwahati, where Shubman Gill scored the fastest ever ODI double-hundred and Rohit Sharma blazed past 12000 runs Shubman Gill brought up a 62-ball ton in the chase, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 The West Indies opener has returned to ODI cricket at a stage of his career when opportunities cannot be assumed to stretch indefinitely ahead John Campbell’s century was the fifth-fastest for West Indies, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 The India ctain scored his second ODI double-century and shared a 255-run opening partnership with Rohit Sharma, who scored a 75-ball 101 himself Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill brought up successive 100-plus stands, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 From a troubled cricketing past to a generation of homegrown stars, Kashmir is slowly reclaiming its place on India’s cricket m He is no longer a white-ball regular and has lost the Test vice-ctaincy, but he isn’t worried by all that. He says he just wants to focus on “whatever is in front of me” Rishabh Pant in action, India A vs South Africa A, 1st unofficial Test, Day 1, COE 1, October 30, 2025 After spending the last seven months in rehabilitation, the fast bowler is set to play against Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup, Akash Deep hits two fours early on the final day, England vs India, 2nd Test, Day 5, Birmingham, July 6, 2025 The 41-year-old will begin his 25th first-class season by leading J&K in the Irani Cup against Rest of India in Srinagar, Paras Dogra brings up his century, Delhi vs J&K, Day 2, Delhi, Ranji Trophy, November 9, 2025 Sam Harper has been brilliant with the bat across all formats and could be in the mix for top honors for Australia Sam Harper Scored his sixth first-class century, India A vs Australia A, 2nd unofficial Test, Puducherry, Day 1, Sep 29, 2026 The Australia A ctain has acknowledged his reputation, but believes his county and Shield experience has shown he can succeed in all conditions, Peter Handscomb stripped of his number in the Prime Minister’s XI, Prime Minister’s XI vs England XI, Canberra, Nov 29, 2025 Third place from the Test XI, but B Sai Sudarshan is back batting and scoring runs, and both look to take 6 wickets for 52 off the left-arm spinner bowl out Australia A for 176 before India A extend their lead to 322, Vaishnavi Sharma reacts after taking her first international wicket, India v Sri Lanka, 2nd Women’s T20I, Visakhatnam, Dec 23, 2025 Result first sets up India vs Pakistan in this year’s final, Asian Games gold medal at stake, Ishan Kishan hits quickfire half-century, India vs Sri Lanka, Asian Games men’s event, semi-finals, Nisshin, October 1, 2026 Green suffered a groin injury while batting and did not field despite being prepared to bowl, while Renshaw had to walk off the field with a blow to his wrist and did not return, Cameron Green reacts after being hit while batting, South Africa vs Australia, 3rd ODI, Potchefstroom, September 30, 2026 SA vs Australia, 3rd ODI – Alex Carey, Mitchell Marsh, Adam Zampa star as Australia win rain-hit final, Alex Carey takes evasive action, South Africa vs Australia, 3rd ODI, Potchefstroom, September 30, 2026 From a troubled cricket past Thanks to a generation of homegrown stars, Kashmir is slowly regaining its place on India’s cricket scene. He is a regular white-ball player and has lost the Test vice-ctaincy, but he is not worried about all that.

He says he just wants to focus on “whatever is in front of me” Rishabh Pant in action, India A vs South Africa A, 1st unofficial Test, Day 1, COE 1, October 30, 2025 After spending the last seven months in rehabilitation, the fast bowler is set to play against Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup, Akash Deep hits two fours early on the final day, England vs India, 2nd Test, Day 5, Birmingham, July 6, 2025 IND vs WI, 2nd ODI – India will assess ‘who can be useful’ between Jadeja and Axar for the 2027 World Cup. Spin coach Sairaj Bahutule said they will take a decision after the upcoming India series and depending on the conditions at the World Cup venues. Ravindra Jadeja will be seen on the field, India vs West Indies, 1st ODI, Thiruvananthurm, September 27, 2026 The 41-year-old player will. Started his 25th first-class season by leading Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup against Rest of India in Srinagar. Paras Dogra brings up his century, Delhi vs J&K, Day 2, Delhi, Ranji Trophy, November 9, 2025 Keshav Maharaj becomes an emotional umpire after dismissing Glenn Phillips, New Zealand vs South Africa, T20 World Cup, Group D, Ahmedabad, February 14, 2026 Keshav Maharaj and Nathan Lyon are on opposite sides of one. Cricket’s fiercest rivalry is between South Africa and Australia, but they agree on one thing: “We have the same philosophy that spinners should be first on the team sheet,” Maharaj said in Potchefstroom, where South Africa are trying to thrash Australia 3-0 in the ODI series, having won two matches already. While Maharaj has caused Australia all sorts of problems in the ODIs, and is the series’ leading wicket-taker, Lyon has flown in for the Tests and might be licking his lips about the possibilities the next month holds. South African surfaces are still in early season, and the coastal wickets, where the Tests will be played, have long been a touch slower.

That may come as a surprise to the Australians, who still go by South Africa’s reputation as a pace paradise. But with Matthew Kuhnman in their team, they have the resources for the circumstances – and it seems Lyon are keen to have that. “I had a good conversation with Nathan yesterday when I met him,” Maharaj said Tuesday.

“It’s just about inspiring the next generation when they do come through, and making sure that spinners always have a place within the team. Like Nathan, I love spin bowling. We’re passionate about it.

But we’re also passionate towards other guys getting the opportunity and being those first picks. It also comes with hard work.” In this series, Maharaj has teamed up with Bjorn Fortuyn, another left-arm spinner who has been in the system for over a decade and has over 50 international CS but is still considered a fringe player for the national team. That the two have played together, and performed brilliantly with ten wickets between them in two matches, is proof that South Africa’s mentality towards spin is changing.

It is no longer the case that other bowling disciplines are used when fast bowlers need a break; It is an art of its own and artists are being respected for their art. Nathan Lyon reached 300 Test wickets, South Africa v Australia, 3rd Test, Ce Town, 4th day, March 25, 2018 “Growing up, I always used to watch him. I’m a huge fan,” Maharaj said.

“He’s one of the idols in terms of the fingerspinners leading the way. What he’s done for Australian cricket is absolutely phenomenal.” Was it the makings of a bromance? “I try to pick his brains as much as possible,” Maharaj said.

“We had some good chats after the series. We don’t want to give away too much, but it’s more about the game in general rather than looking at sort of details like that. And also just asking how he manages himself to do what he does at his age and still be at the top of his game.

I take a lot of inspiration from him.” “I can learn a lot more from him there. It will be a wonderful opportunity for them. He’ll put his best foot forward.

He’s a class act, and I’m sure he’ll re the rewards” In age terms, Maharaj, who’s 36, isn’t that far behind Lyon, who’s 38. But Lyon, with 143 Test cs, has played more than double the number of Tests as Maharaj, who’s on 62. Unlike Lyon, Maharaj also has an ongoing international white-ball career, and has established himself as one of the leaders of their attack and their outfit.

Maharaj has ctained South Africa in a Test – that came against Zimbabwe last year – art from leading in seven ODIs and 10 T20Is, and believes it’s “nice to have responsibility on your shoulders”. Instead of being asked what he could learn from Lyon, the Maharaja was asked the opposite question. He was asked what advice he could give Lyon, especially ahead of Australia’s five-Test tour of India early next year.

Typically, despite being part of the South African team that defeated India 2-0 in the Test series last year, Maharaj decided to downplay his expertise and keep his cards to himself. “He is a legend. He said he was going to have a tour of India – a long tour – but he is a legend,” Maharaj said of Lyon.

“He’s a world-class performer. He’s performed there. I think he’s taken an eight-for there, if I’m not mistaken.

It’s more that I can learn from him over there. It will be a wonderful opportunity for them. He’ll put his best foot forward.

He is a class act, and I am sure he will get the rewards.” What everyone can agree on is that the spinner will definitely be the first name on the team sheet. SA spinner talks about watching and learning from his Australian counterpart, whose brain he tries to pick “as much as possible” Keshav Maharaj turns into a passionate umpire after dismissing Glenn Phillips, New Zealand vs South Africa, T20 World Cup, Group D, Ahmedabad, February 14, 2026 SA spinner talks about watching and learning from his Australian counterpart, whose brain he tries to pick “as much as possible” SA spinner talks about watching and learning from his Australian counterpart, whose brain he tries to pick “as much as possible” Keshav Maharaj: “Spinners should be the first on the team sheet” • ICC/ SA’s answer to heavier calendar: the exchangeable pitch Rabada in SA’s preliminary squad for Australia Tests Australia could face a trial by spin… in South Africa Firdose Moonda is ‘s senior correspondent for Africa and women’s cricket