South African spinner Keshav Maharaj feels the devotional song, ‘Ram Siya Ram’ is an ape entrance song for him as he is Lord Ram’s devotee. He revealed that he requested the song to be played whenever he walked out to bat during India’s tour of South Africa, 2023-24.
During the second Test match between India and South Africa at Cape Town, ‘Ram Siya Ram’ was played at the venue when Keshav Maharaj came out to bat. Virat Kohli, who was standing in the slips cordon, welcomed him, folding his hands and gesturing a bow and an arrow. Speaking about the song being played at his entry, Keshav Maharaj said,
“Obviously, something that I put forward to the media lady and requested that song to be played. For me, God has been my greatest blessing, giving me guidance and opportunity. So, it’s the least that I can do and it also just gets you in your zone. It’s a nice feeling walking out (into the ground) to hear ‘Ram Siya Ram’ playing in the background.”
EXCLUSIVE | VIDEO: "Obviously, something that I put forward to the media lady and requested that song to be played. For me, God has been my greatest blessing, giving me guidance and opportunity. So, it's the least that I can do and it also just gets you in your zone. It's a nice… pic.twitter.com/TtDYg28oRN
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 9, 2024
Keshav Maharaj took three wickets in the three-match ODI series against India at an average of 35.67. Meanwhile, he took two wickets in the solitary T20I match that he played in the series. He did not get an opportunity to bowl in the Test series. India won the ODI series, while the T20I and Test series ended in a 1-1 tie.
Virat Kohli gifts Keshav Maharaj a signed India jersey
Following the two-match Test series, Virat Kohli’s gesture won hearts as he gifted Keshav Maharaj a signed India Test jersey. Maharaj took a picture with Virat Kohli presenting him with the jersey and shared it on social media. He thanked the veteran India batter and wrote, “One for the Wall, Thank you @virat.kohli.”
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