South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj has opened up on his wish to visit the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and why he uses ‘Ram Siya Ram’ as his entrance song when he comes out to bat.

Maharaj, who is of Indian descent, is known to be a strong devotee of Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman and has visited temples in India while he has been on tour with the team. The spinner also posted a video on his X account on the day of the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22.

Speaking to Sports Tak, Maharaj said that he is looking forward to visiting the Ram Mandir. The spinner, who is currently the captain of Lucknow Super Giants’ sister franchise, Durban’s Super Giants in SA 20, said the Lucknow franchise could help him out in the future and it could turn out to be a nice family trip.

“Unfortunately, the schedule didn’t allow me to visit during the inauguration of the temple. But in the future, I would definitely love to go and see the temple in Ayodhya.”

“Fingers crossed. Maybe in the future we can arrange for that. Maybe the Lucknow franchise can help. My family has always wanted to go on pilgrimage to India. So maybe it will be a nice family trip to go across to Ayodhya,” said Maharaj.

I sent the request through to the DJ to play ‘Ram Siya Ram’: Keshav Maharaj

One of the interesting things about Maharaj has been that when he comes out to bat, the song ‘Ram Siya Ram’ is played in the background. The South African spinner explained the reason behind it and said as he is a staunch devotee of Lord Ram, it was a way for him to say thank you for his blessings in life and get him focused on the field.

“My faith in god is very staunch. I always believe that god has given me perspective and guidance and put me in situation where I am today. I am always grateful and give thanks. I am a staunch devotee of Lord Hanuman and Lord Ram. So it’s the least I can do to say thank you and get me in my zone and make me focused through hearing ‘Ram Siya Ram’ play in the background. So I sent the request through to the DJ and I am very fortunate that he could play the song for me when I entered,” said Maharaj.