Keshav Maharaj faces lengthy layoff after rupturing left Achilles tendon

South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj faces a lengthy layoff as he has suffered "a complete rupture of his left Achilles tendon" during his side's comprehensive 284-run victory over West Indies in the second Test at The Wanderers on Saturday (March 11). 

Maharaj collapsed to the ground when he started off on his celebratory run after Kyle Mayers was given out following a review by the Proteas. According to multiple reports, this injury could put Maharaj out for 4-6 months, and could miss the World Cup as a result.

As a result, he will not be able to fulfill his commitments with Middlesex with whom he was set to feature in the English county championship and also the T20 Blast, and will turn his attention to his rehab instead.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that Maharaj will meet with a surgeon on Monday (March 13) to discuss the future of action. According to a report in The Guardian, Maharaj is certain to go under the knife. 

Maharaj has been South Africa's leading Test spin bowler since making his debut in 2016 but has more recently become a regular in the ODI team. South Africa have no Test matches scheduled until December 2023. 

Maharaj bowled only 2.5 overs before his injury but took two wickets for four runs to hasten a West Indian collapse to 106 all out. In 49 Tests, Maharaj has picked up 158 wickets for the Proteas at 31.99. Given his exploits in the subcontinent, which also includes a nine-wicket haul in Sri Lanka, Maharaj was expected to play in the World Cup. 

He has 29 wickets from 27 50-over games for the Proteas, at an economy rate of 4.79.

(With inputs from AFP)