Watch: Emotional Keshav Maharaj struggles to hold back tears of joy after South Africa win WTC final

Left-arm spinner Maharaj could hardly contain his emotions during an interview with former Proteas captain Graeme Smith after South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets to be crowned world Test champions at Lord's on Saturday. read more
Keshav Maharaj speaks to Graeme Smith following South Africa's victory over Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's. Image credit: Screengrab/Sky Sports
South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj couldn't help but shed tears of joy after his team defeated Australia by 5 wickets in the World Test Championship final at Lord's, ending a 27-year wait for an ICC title.
Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada starred with bat and ball respectively while Temba Bavuma extended his unbeaten run as Test captain as the Proteas emerged triumphant in the final of a global event after enduring multiple heartbreaks since their readmission in 1991.
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Also Read | After years of veering towards gates of cricketing hell, South Africa pitch up in paradise
It led to an outpouring of emotions from the South African players as well as fans, who had turned up in large numbers at the 'Home of Cricket' for the showdown against Australia, whose quest for back-to-back WTC titles was thwarted by Bavuma and his men.
'Through adversity we've stood strong': Maharaj
Maharaj, who was part of the South African team that had lost the semi-final of the 2023 ICC World Cup against the same team as well as the final of the T20 World Cup against India the following year, struggled to hold back tears during a chat with former Proteas captain Graeme Smith – the most successful leader in Test history.
'It's special, it's an honour to lift the cup for everyone out here and back home. It's what the country's about, the unity among everyone in the last five days. We're very grateful, as a team as a nation, as a proud country. I think the emotions would've spurred me into the right direction had I got into bat,' Maharaj said in the chat.
'Thanks to everyone who's been supporting us, through adversity we've stood strong. We honour those who've come before us, may this be a stepping stone for greater things to come,' he added.
Also Read | Bavuma, Markram react to South Africa's historic victory at Lord's
South Africa were staring down the barrel after getting bowled out for 138 on Day 2, conceding a 74-run lead to Australia. The Proteas, however, fought back in style with the ball with pacers Rabada and Lungi Ngidi leading the way as Australia were reduced to 73/7, and later to 148/9.
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A fighting half-century by Mitchell Starc helped the Pat Cummins-led side set a steep 282-run target for Bavuma and Co.
The South Africans, however, capitalised on a wicket that was always a good batting strip and got even better under sunny conditions as Markram and Bavuma helped their team chase the target down in dominant fashion with a match-defining 147-run partnership.

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