IND vs SA | Twitter laughs as enthusiastic Maharaj manages to prank teammates and rivals alike

Yesterday at 1:29 PM

Spending seven hours on the field for five days straight is more taxing than perhaps the average brain can comprehend which makes entertainment in the middle a necessity. Keshav Maharaj ensured he delivered the good for his teammates with a hilarious stunt on Monday, much to Kuldeep Yadav's concern.

Keshav Maharaj was at his energetic best on Day 3 of the second Test between India and South Africa in Guwahati

India slid from 65/0 to 122/7 on Day 3 of the second Test and South Africa at Baraspara Stadium in Guwahati while pursuing a mammoth first innings total of 489. Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer led the charge for the Proteas with exceptional spells in tandem, the latter constricting the scoring rates like an Anaconda while his younger teammate capitalized with a short-ball barrage to scalp four for himself. It took Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav to finally bring back some stability to proceedings as the two dug in thereafter to survive through to Lunch unscathed, even if their effort was worth just 4X runs in neary 23 overs. The Proteas troubled the duo nevertheless and came close on a couple of occassions, and even believed they had their man at one stage or at least that is what Keshav Maharaj would like to think.

On the penultimate ball of the 55th over, Maharaj floated a ball outside off stump to Kuldeep who lunged forward in defence, only for the red cherry to spin ferociously to beat the inside edge of the willow by a mile and float up. Maharaj instantly screamed "catch it", and Tony de Zorzi at short leg was sharp enough to scurry forward before putting a full length dive in the middle of the deck to hold onto the SG at full stretch. Maharaj exalted in joy and embraced the youngster while Kyle Verreyne came rushing in from behind the stumps to join in on the celebration, only to realize none of his other teammates seemed to share the same enthusiasm. Even more perplexingly, before a DRS discussion could be had, Maharaj began to walk away from the scene of crime laughing out loud. He turned to mid-on and with a naughty shake of the head indicated he knew form the get go the ball had struck Kuldeep's pad, implying his antics were only meant to prooke some giggles.

Twitterati was thoroughly enthralled.

Haha!

— Robinson (@Robinson966715)

Well played!

Kuldeep Yadav has faced more delivery than Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel combined and that too batting at No.9. 🔥

He is playing better than India's middle order and lower order.
— Abba's Notebook (@AbbasNotebook)

Risk!

Again at the risk of repeating, if the 8th wicket partnership can bat 17 overs…..
— PRCricketchat (@PRcricketchat)

True!

Washington & Kuldeep are showing how badly Indian top 6 batted in this test. 🙅
— Balram Dudawat (@ImDudawat)

Washi & Kuldeep!

What happened to South Africa Bowling suddenly, why they are not taking a single Wicket after downing India to 122 for 7,

India is now currently at 159 for 7..

These 37 runs will cost South Africa this match...
— ANUJ. (@anujrocks44)

Skipper gone!

Utter garbage yet again from Rishabh Pant! 😡

Skipper of the team. The team needs a partnership to come back into the game. But he knows only one way to play - no situational awareness at all!
— RUCHIR SHUKLA (@RUCHIR_SHUKLA)

Yeah!