Harmer surpasses Dale Steyn to set new record in India

Guwahati: South Africa off-spinner Simon Harmer made history on Wednesday by becoming his country’s leading wicket-taker in Test matches played in India.

Harmer reached the milestone after South Africa defeated India by 408 runs in the second and final Test in Guwahati to complete a 2-0 series whitewash. The 35-year-old surpassed pacer Dale Steyn’s record of 26 wickets, emerging as South Africa’s most successful Test bowler on Indian soil.

Harmer was the standout performer in the two-match series, taking 27 wickets at an impressive average of 15.03 and a strike rate of 36.1. Among 109 bowlers with at least 20 Test wickets in India, the Proteas spinner now holds the best average and strike rate.

During the Guwahati Test, Harmer delivered a match-winning spell, claiming nine wickets to secure South Africa’s second-largest victory margin in Tests by runs, after their 492-run win over Australia in Johannesburg in 2018.

After collecting the Player of the Series award, Harmer credited the team’s collective effort and praised opener Aiden Markram’s sharp work in the slips.

“Like I said in the last Test, it's been a long road. 10 years later, completely different feeling. Will leave with a lot more fonder memories from then. To beat a very good Indian team is a hell of an effort. I was just watching our second innings, after 40 overs, the ball got softer, and it became easier. But there was the oddball, the ball that Rishabh got. Nice to contribute, nice to get wickets and nice to get a fifer in India. I think in the 2nd innings we knew they would bat for their lives, they put hell of a fight. But we knew if we put it in the right areas, things would happen,” Harmer said at the post-match presentation.

“Sharp catches from Markram in the slips and Jansen as well, which helps. When I'm bowling from that end, I felt it was a left-hander's wicket, Temba asked me to change and a great decision from him and happy to get the wickets. Kesh's record speaks for itself; he deserves to be the number one spinner, and I'm happy to play the supporting role. When given a chance, I'm happy to play the supporting role. I didn't bat well; Jasprit had my number. Another county stint with Essex, a few games with the Titans, that's what is next,” he added.

Harmer’s six-wicket haul in the second innings sealed South Africa’s record 408-run win. Chasing a massive 548-run target, India were bundled out for 140 runs.

Earlier, South Africa posted 489 in their first innings, with Tristan Stubbs scoring 94 and Senuran Muthuswamy hitting his maiden Test century (109). India managed 201 in reply as Marco Jansen took six wickets. The visitors declared their second innings at 260/5, setting India a daunting 548-run target, which they failed to chase down.

This also marked India’s second home whitewash under head coach Gautam Gambhir, following a 0-3 loss to New Zealand last year and now a 0-2 defeat to South Africa.

Brief Scores:

India: 201 and 140 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 58, Ravindra Jadeja 54, Simon Harmer 6/37)

South Africa: 489 and 260/5d (Tristan Stubbs 94, Senuran Muthuswamy 109, Ravindra Jadeja 4/62)

With inputs from ANI