Leicestershire welcome Keshav Maharaj for Division 1 next year as he is set to play for the first four months.
Keshav Maharaj joins Leicestershire for return to Division One.
In an attempt to make a successful return to Division One of the County Championship, Leicestershire has hired Keshav Maharaj, a left-arm spinner from South Africa, for the first four months of the upcoming campaign.
Maharaj is scheduled to play in the Championship for the first two months of the season and then the entire T20 Blast, giving South Africa a clear opening in their international calendar for the following year. Maharaj played two games for the Rajasthan Royals in the 2024 IPL, but his Leicestershire contract essentially disqualifies him from the 2026 tournament.
Leicestershire confirm Promotion to Div 1
With their draw against Gloucestershire on Thursday, Leicestershire was officially promoted to Division One for the first time since 2003. Along with club captain Peter Handscomb, who has extended his contract by one year, Maharaj will be one of two foreign players at the beginning of the season.
“I’ve been digging into the history of the club, and it seems like a very exciting time to sign,” Maharaj said. “The boys have done some exceptional work throughout the season and have built some great momentum heading into next year. It’s early days, but we’re tracking in the right direction, so who knows how far this team can go?”
He has played county cricket for Yorkshire and Lancashire in the past, although an injury prevented him from playing for Middlesex in 2023. The talented England all-rounder Rehan Ahmed will be one of his new teammates at Leicestershire. With his new position as a No. 3 batter, the two guys may play together.
Maharaj is the most recent addition to Leicestershire’s roster ahead of the 2026 campaign. He comes after seam bowling all-rounders Ben Green and Josh Davey (both from Somerset), wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Tattersall (Yorkshire), and top-order batsman Steven Eskinazi (who joined from Middlesex).
“It’s fantastic to welcome Keshav to Leicestershire,” Claude Henderson, Leicestershire’s director of cricket, said. “Alongside his exceptional cricketing abilities, he will bring vast international experience, leadership skills, and a huge passion for the game – all of which will be fundamental to our changing room.”