India captain KL Rahul and South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj were engaged in a casual discussion during the 3rd ODI which was played in Paarl on December 21, 2023.
Rahul kept wickets in this game and was very sharp with his reflexes to both pacers and spinners. He was also at the top of his game when it came to DRS calls and captaincy as well. However, he stole the limelight with the cheeky question he asked South African spinner Keshav Maharaj.
When Keshav Maharaj came out to bat, the DJ at the ground began playing the ‘Ram Siya Ram’ song. Maharaj is a devout Hindu and is often seen making a silent prayer when he comes onto bowl or bat.
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Rahul mentioned this to Maharaj and asked him why the DJ always plays this song when he comes out to bat.
In the video that has gone viral on the internet, KL Rahul was heard asking Keshav Maharaj: “Keshav bhai every time you come to bat they play this song.” Replying to which the Proteas spinner said: “Ya”.
Here is the video:
India defeated South Africa by 78 runs in the final ODI to pocket the series 2-1. Put into bat, India posted 296/8 in 50 overs with Sanju Samson scoring 108 and Tilak Varma scoring a half-century. Rinku Singh with a quick 38 provided the late finish.
Then in reply, Tony de Zorzi made 81 runs, but Arshdeep’s four wickets and two each by Avesh Khan and Washington Sundar restricted South Africa to 218 runs.
KL Rahul became only the second Indian captain to win an ODI series in South Africa after Virat Kohli in 2018.
