IND vs SA: South African spinner Simon Harmer makes a joke in India ahead of the Guwahati Test

South Africa spinner Simon Harmer has the. reignited India-South Africa cricket rivalry with a subtle swipe at critics and the Indian media, fresh from his match-winning performance in the first Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Proteas stunned India in dramatic fashion, defending a modest total as Harmer’s off-spin dismantled a star-studded Indian line-up and turned what seemed an inevitable Indian victory into a famous South African triumph.

South Africa’s sensational turnaround in Kolkata Test

India faced a target of just 124 runs in the second innings – a chase widely predicted to be easy for the hosts on home soil. Yet Harmer and the Proteas bowlers unleashed a masterclass, bowling out India for a paltry 93 and completing a historic 30-run win, South Africa’s first Test win in India in 15 years.

The turning point came courtesy of a gritty half-century from captain Temba Bavumawhose composed approach took South Africa’s lead to 153 after they had slumped to 93/7 on day two. Reflecting on the crucial partnership, Harmer noted: “The faith was certainly there. The way Temba batted, his pace, he had a very solid and clear game plan.He praised Bavuma’s resilience and emphasized that one important score could change the entire course of the match.

Harmer further revealed that South Africa’s dressing room drew motivation from the skepticism of critics, especially the Indian media, who had declared the match “done and dusted“For the last day. Manifesting faith became his mantra, which he jokingly attributed to their remarkable victory.

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Simon Harmer’s subtle criticism of India and bowling genius

After the match, Harmer did not shy away from talking about South Africa’s position. He joked about how, regardless of statistics or predictions, “if you have a chip and a seat at the table, you have a chanceHis sly swipe was aimed at those who had written off the visitors too early – a statement that resonated after the dominant all-round bowling display led by Harmer’s four wickets in the final innings.

The 36-year-old off-spinner decimated India’s top order with clever variations in pace and trajectory, exploiting the conditions and adapting to the unpredictable Eden Gardens surface. His performance was praised by cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle for his artistry, where Harmer varies his grip and seam position to deceive batters considered some of the best players of spin in world cricket.

Harmer took pride in competing with Indian batters in their own backyard and called India the ‘peak’ of spin challenges. “As an off-spinner, it is the small subtle changes that make the difference. I love competing with the batters and there is no better place to do that than the subcontinent” he noted, emphasizing his affinity for tough competitions

South Africa’s team effort, with every bowler contributing, turned a precarious situation into a resounding victory. Harmer’s calculated approach, Bavuma’s inspired leadership and collective belief enabled the Proteas to disrupt the script and take a 1-0 lead in the series, paving the way for an enthralling Guwahati test.

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