Leicestershire Signs South Africa Spinner Maharaj for 2026 Season

South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has signed with Leicestershire for the first four months of the 2026 County Championship season as the club returns to Division One after a 22-year absence. Maharaj, who has taken 313 international wickets and played for Lancashire and Yorkshire in county cricket, expressed enthusiasm about joining a team with strong momentum and aims to contribute to their success. Leicestershire's director of cricket, Claude Henderson, highlighted Maharaj's international experience, leadership, and passion as key assets for the team’s culture. Maharaj's deal covers the early months of the season, during which he is expected to play in both the County Championship and T20 Blast, though it precludes participation in the 2026 IPL. The club has also retained skipper Peter Handscomb and added other players to bolster their squad for the top-flight competition. Maharaj previously missed a planned Middlesex stint due to injury but is eager to use county cricket's competitiveness to refine his skills and support Leicestershire's ambitions.