Keshav Maharaj is South Africa’s reliable left-arm spinner and a calm on-field leader. He has delivered for the Proteas across formats, captained when needed, and thrived in franchise leagues. In this deep dive we’ll cover his estimated net worth, income sources (national contract, match fees, leagues, endorsements), and a clear, fact-checked biography with career highlights and up-to-date stats. Everything is written simply and formatted for quick reading and strong SEO.
TL;DR (Quick Facts)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Keshav Athmanand Maharaj |
| Born | 7 February 1990, Durban, South Africa |
| Height | ~178 cm (5 ft 10 in) |
| Role | Slow left-arm orthodox; right-hand bat |
| International debut | Test: Nov 2016 • ODI: May 2017 • T20I: Sep 2021 |
| Current teams | South Africa, Dolphins, Durban’s Super Giants (SA20) |
| IPL | Replacement signing for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024; 2 matches, 2 wickets |
| International stats (to July 1, 2025) | Tests: 59, 203 wkts • ODIs: 48, 58 wkts • T20Is: 39, 38 wkts |
| Signature feat | Only the second South African to take a Test hat-trick (vs West Indies, 2021) |
| Estimated net worth (2025) | US$3–5 million (range; details below) |
Bio and stats from ESPNcricinfo/Wikipedia; IPL stint confirmed by ESPNcricinfo and Royals; hat-trick verified via match reports; net-worth range compiled from multiple reports.
Keshav Maharaj blends craft, control and temperament. He broke through as a Test spinner, added white-ball skills, and became a senior voice in South Africa’s dressing room. His career includes a historic Test hat-trick, a T20 World Cup final appearance in 2024, and leadership stints for the Proteas and in domestic leagues. This article explains what he likely earns, how those earnings stack up, and why his value extends beyond wickets.
Net Worth (2025): How much is Keshav Maharaj worth?
Because cricketers’ personal finances are private, net-worth figures are estimates, not audited numbers. Credible cricket business trackers place Maharaj roughly between US$3–5 million in 2024–2025. Some outlets cited ~$3M (2022) and others ~$5M (2024–2025); the true figure depends on contract tier, match fees, league payments and endorsements in a given year. We present a conservative range using public pay benchmarks and reported deals.
Where the money comes from
| Income stream | What it includes | What we know |
|---|---|---|
| CSA central contract | Annual retainer (tiered) | CSA listed Maharaj among the 2025–26 contracted players (June 2025–May 2026). Public reports peg top men’s retainers roughly US$110k–$350k depending on tier; exact tiers aren’t disclosed. |
| Match fees | Per-match payments | Several reports state ~$4,500 per Test, ~$1,200 per ODI, ~$800 per T20I for South Africa men. Fees can change; figures are indicative. |
| SA20 (Durban’s Super Giants) | Franchise salary | SA20 publishes team salary caps, not individual salaries. For Season 3, cap rose to R39.1m/team; individual deals are private. As captain and domestic stalwart, Maharaj likely commands a solid tier. |
| IPL | Short-term seasonal pay | Joined Rajasthan Royals as an injury replacement in IPL 2024. Reports suggested base-price signing of INR 50 lakh (about US$60k at typical rates) for that replacement stint; he played 2 matches, 2 wickets. |
| Other leagues | County/BPL/CPL gigs | Played county cricket for Lancashire (2018) and has featured in other franchise tournaments; fees vary by competition and role. |
| Endorsements & appearances | Brand deals, ambassador roles | Confirmed Brand Ambassador for Hollywood Foundation/Hollywoodbets community programmes; older reports link him with consumer brands (unverified specifics). |
Bottom line: Given a stable CSA deal, steady match fees, SA20 leadership value, a 2024 IPL paycheck, plus endorsements, the US$3–5m range is reasonable as a 2025 snapshot. Exact totals fluctuate year-to-year with fixtures and league contracts.
Short Bio: Early Life, Family & Education
- Birth: 7 February 1990, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
- Family: Indian ancestry; father Athmanand Maharaj (former provincial wicket-keeper).
- Education: Northwood High School (reported).
- Height: around 178 cm (5’10”).
- Marital status: Married to Lerisha Munsamy (April 2022).
Bio at a glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Keshav Athmanand Maharaj |
| Birthplace | Durban, South Africa |
| Heritage | South African of Indian descent |
| Height | ~178 cm (5’10”) |
| Spouse | Lerisha Munsamy |
| First-class debut | 2006–07 for KwaZulu-Natal |
| International debut | Test 2016, ODI 2017, T20I 2021 |
These details are supported by Wikipedia/ESPNcricinfo and profile features; height corroborated by multiple bio sources.
Career Timeline (easy to scan)
| Year/Phase | What happened | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–2016 | Early domestic years with KwaZulu-Natal and Dolphins; consistent 4-Day and one-day contributions. | Built stamina and accuracy; earned national call-up. |
| Nov 2016 | Test debut at Perth vs Australia. | First specialist spinner to debut at Perth for SA. |
| 2018 | County stint with Lancashire; heroic 7/37 vs Somerset in a tied game. | Proved match-winning potential on English pitches. |
| June 2021 | Test hat-trick vs West Indies at St Lucia (only SA’s second in Tests). | Historic feat; South Africa clinched series 2–0. |
| 2021–2023 | Captained SA in ODIs/T20Is when asked; ruptured Achilles in March 2023, returned for ODI World Cup 2023. | Leadership trust; remarkable recovery to make World Cup squad. |
| 2024 | Key spells at T20 World Cup; removed Rohit & Pant in the final; SA finished runners-up to India. | Showed big-stage nerve and control in Powerplay. |
| 2024 (IPL) | Mid-season Rajasthan Royals replacement; 2 matches, 2 wickets. | Earned first IPL caps; valuable India experience. |
| 2025 | Named in CSA central contracts (2025–26). | Confirms his ongoing national value. |
International Record & Playing Style
Maharaj bowls orthodox left-arm spin with repeatable, tight lines. He attacks the stumps, uses drift, and varies pace subtly. He fields well and chips in with useful lower-order runs.
International career summary (as of July 1, 2025)
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best bowling | 5-fors | 10-fors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 59 | 203 | 9/129 | 11 | 1 |
| ODI | 48 | 58 | 4/33 | 0 | – |
| T20I | 39 | 38 | 3/27 | 0 | – |
Source: career stats compiled by ESPNcricinfo/Wikipedia snapshot dated 1 July 2025.
Notable achievements
- Test hat-trick vs West Indies, 2021 (Powell, Holder, Da Silva). Only the second by a South African in Tests; first by a SA spinner.
- T20 World Cup 2024 Final: Struck twice in an early over (Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant). India edged the final by seven runs.
- Consistent economy and leadership in white-ball cricket; selected in major events after a strong Achilles-injury comeback for CWC 2023.
Contracts, Match Fees & Annual Earnings: The realistic picture
1) Cricket South Africa (CSA) contract
CSA confirmed 2025–26 national contracts (June 2025–May 2026), listing Maharaj among the 18 fully contracted players (plus two hybrid deals). CSA doesn’t publish pay tiers, but independent breakdowns typically cite three retainer levels (approx. US$110k, $77k, $44k) with top earners reported higher (some estimates up to ~US$350k). Actual placement varies by seniority and format workload.
2) Match fees (per appearance)
Multiple reports put men’s Proteas match fees near $4,500 (Tests), $1,200 (ODIs) and $800 (T20Is). Think of these as ballpark figures; exact rates can be updated in new MoUs. Over a busy year with Tests, ODIs and T20Is, a frontline bowler can add a meaningful six-figure sum on top of the retainer.
3) SA20 (Durban’s Super Giants)
The league discloses team caps, not individual salaries. Season 3 raised the cap to R39.1 million per team (about US$2.6m at the time). As DSG captain and a home draw in Durban, Maharaj’s SA20 value is clear, but precise pay is private.
4) IPL 2024 (Rajasthan Royals)
Rajasthan Royals signed Maharaj mid-season as injury replacement for Prasidh Krishna. Media noted a base-price (INR 50 lakh) deal for the short stint; Maharaj played two matches and took two wickets with an economy around the mid-6s. Replacement contracts are pro-rated and shorter than full-season deals.
5) Endorsements and ambassador roles
A confirmed, visible relationship is his Hollywood Foundation/Hollywoodbets ambassador role, often tied to community sports programs in KZN. These partnerships combine social impact with brand presence; dollar values are rarely public.
Earnings snapshot table (illustrative, not audited)
| Component | Typical 12-month scenario for a senior SA bowler | Maharaj specifics (public info) |
|---|---|---|
| CSA retainer (tiered) | US$75k–$350k | Contracted for 2025–26; exact tier undisclosed. |
| Match fees (if active) | US$50k–$150k+ (depends on fixtures) | SA schedules fluctuate; per-match fees reported as ~$4.5k / $1.2k / $0.8k. |
| SA20 | Private (wide range across tiers) | DSG captain; team cap R39.1m (context only). |
| IPL 2024 (partial) | ~US$60k at INR 50L (est.) | Replacement contract; 2 matches, 2 wickets. |
| Endorsements | Variable | Hollywood Foundation ambassador (confirmed). |
IPL Career: Small sample, useful exposure
Maharaj entered the IPL in 2024 as a replacement signing for Rajasthan Royals. He was already in India and bowling in franchise environments, and the Royals tapped him for their spin stocks late in the season. He bowled tidily in two games and picked two wickets—a short cameo but valuable exposure to IPL conditions and match-ups.
IPL at a glance
| Season | Team | Matches | Wickets | Best | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Rajasthan Royals | 2 | 2 | 2/23 | ~6.5 |
Performance snapshot compiled from verified player stat trackers and media reports.
SA20 & Domestic Cricket
Maharaj captains Durban’s Super Giants (DSG) in the SA20 and remains a senior figure for the Dolphins in South Africa’s domestic system. SA20’s growing cap (R39.1m/team for Season 3) underlines the competition’s rising financial muscle, even though player-by-player salaries aren’t public. Leadership roles often signal extra value to a franchise, both on field and in community engagement.
Recent domestic/SA20 notes
| Team | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Durban’s Super Giants | Captain | Leads DSG; part of the league’s marquee local core. |
| Dolphins | Senior bowler/occasional captain | Continues to play and mentor in domestic competitions. |
| Lancashire (2018) | Overseas pro | Memorable 7/37 vs Somerset in a tied game. |
Playing Highlights: Big matches, big moments
- Test hat-trick, St Lucia 2021 – Powell, Holder, Da Silva dismissed in three balls; SA sealed the series 2–0.
- World Cup pressure overs – In the 2024 T20 World Cup final, he struck twice in his second over, removing India’s captain Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant, before India held on.
- ODI World Cup 2023 comeback – Returned from an Achilles rupture in time for the tournament and was picked in the 15, highlighting medical and coaching faith.
“Career peaks” table
| Year | Moment | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | County spell, 7/37 for Lancashire | Showed match-winning bite on seaming English tracks. |
| 2021 | Test hat-trick v WI | Historic; only SA’s second Test hat-trick. |
| 2023 | Achilles → CWC recall | Fast recovery; national selectors backed him. |
| 2024 | T20 WC Final double-strike | Early blows in a global final; proved PP value. |
Leadership & Roles
Maharaj has captained South Africa in limited-overs series when first-choice skippers were unavailable (e.g., ODIs vs Netherlands in 2021). He’s also served as vice-captain in white-ball cricket and captains at domestic level. Leadership adds to his cricketing brand and off-field value.
Endorsements, Community & Image
He is a Brand Ambassador for the Hollywood Foundation/Hollywoodbets, appearing at kit hand-overs, youth clinics and community activations. This aligns with his Durban roots and calm persona. While some lifestyle sites list additional brands, the Hollywood Foundation role is the most clearly documented publicly.
Public/brand activity at a glance
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Social impact | Kit hand-overs and grassroots clinics in KZN with Hollywood Foundation teams. |
| Media presence | Interviews on spin bowling craft; appearances at SA20/Proteas events. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Keshav Maharaj’s net worth in 2025?
A reasonable estimate is US$3–5 million. Different outlets cite ~$3M (2022) to ~$5M (2024–25). Variations reflect fluctuating fixtures, league deals and endorsements.
What are his main income sources?
CSA retainer + international match fees, SA20 salary (undisclosed), IPL 2024 replacement contract, and endorsements (notably Hollywood Foundation).
Has he played in the IPL?
Yes. He debuted in IPL 2024 for Rajasthan Royals as an injury replacement; 2 matches, 2 wickets.
What is his biggest on-field achievement?
A Test hat-trick in 2021—only South Africa’s second in history.
How tall is he?
Around 178 cm (5 ft 10 in).
Is he still centrally contracted?
Yes. CSA listed him among 2025–26 contracted players.
Methodology note (for transparency)
- Net-worth is presented as a range, not a claim of exact wealth. We combined: (a) public salary/match-fee benchmarks; (b) league context (SA20 team cap; IPL base price reports for his 2024 replacement contract); and (c) credible media reports of contracts and ambassador roles.
- We avoid guessing asset values (homes/cars) where no reliable sources exist.
Conclusion
Keshav Maharaj’s value lies in steady excellence. He holds ends, wins sessions, and leads quietly. His earnings reflect that mix: a stable CSA contract plus match fees, a captain’s presence in SA20, IPL exposure, and community-minded brand work. With fitness managed and skills still sharp, his on-field influence—and by extension his earning power—should stay strong over the next cycle.