The South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj wants to achieve teh consistency like the Indian spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin during the upcoming three-match Test series starting on Wednesday. Maharaj has played 25 Tests and scalped as many as 94 wickets and is hoping to make life “uncomfortable” for the Indian top order.

Ahead of the first Test against India, Maharaj said, “It is nice that people speak highly of you. Look at Jadeja and Ashwin. Ashwin has got a lot of variations and Jadeja keeps it simple but the key is consistency and that makes it uncomfortable for the batsmen. I can (want to) emulate that going forward and do my job from one end.”

Spin will hold key during the Test series, but Maharaj also feels that reverse swing will play a huge role in the series.

ALSO READ: Indian President Ram Nath Kovind Feels MS Dhoni Has Put Ranchi On The World Map

The southpaw spinner said, “You got to expect the ball to turn in the sub-continent and that is why people carry an extra spinner here. The series will tell me how good I am and if I belong here in international cricket. Besides spin, reverse swing will be key. Every bowling unit everywhere in the world likes to utilize if the reverse swing is available. India has got strong bowlers including Mohammad Shami, who is unplayable at times. If it starts to reverse, then we have also got amazing bowlers, who can utilize the conditions.”

The South Africa pace attack comprises Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi. But, India will miss the services of  Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out of the series due to a stress fracture in the lower back. Maharaj said India will miss him badly. He also termed Umesh Yadav as a world-class bowler.

ALSO READ: Ashish Nehra Shares His Thought on Jasprit Bumrah

South Africa got a decent hit in the middle in the one-off practice game against Indian Board President’s XI despite the rain with Aiden Markram (100), Temba Bavuma (87) and Philander (47) getting some much needed time in the middle. Maharaj scalped three wickets in that game. 

The visitors suffered a 0-3 loss in India four years ago with Jadeja and Ashwin wreaking havoc. Maharaj said the new-look South African team is not dwelling over the past. He said, “If you look at the freshness on the side, there is a hell lot of new faces and that can work for us. There is no point looking back and things may not get our way. But we are here to compete.”