Rajasthan Royals’ Keshav Maharaj has made it to the 15-member South Africa cricket squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, to be played in the USA and West Indies in June.
While Maharaj is in the core team, fellow Royals player Nandre Burger has been added to the reserve players list. Both are currently playing in the ongoing Indian Premier League.
The 34-year-old Keshav Maharaj, who made his T20I debut in 2021, will be playing in his third T20 World Cup. He had previously played in the 2021 and 2022 editions.
Maharaj has played 27 T20Is so far, picking up 24 wickets at an average of 27.95 and an economy of 7.38.
Burger, meanwhile, has played only one T20I match so far. The 28-year-old pacer made his debut in the format against India in December last year.
Burger, however, has impressed in IPL 2024, scalping six wickets in four matches at an average of 20.66.
Aiden Markram will lead the South African cricket team in what will be his first World Cup assignment since being named T20 International captain. The team will also benefit from the expertise of batters Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and the promising Tristan Stubbs.
Leading the pace attack will be Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje supported by Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee.
The squad includes two uncapped T20I players - Ryan Rickelton and Ottniel Baartman.
Other notable selections include three front-line spinners in Bjorn Fortuin and Tabraiz Shamsi along with Keshav Maharaj.
Lungi Ngidi is the other travelling reserve with Burger.
South Africa T20 World Cup 2024 squad
South Africa cricket team: Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs.
Travelling Reserves: Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.
