Simon Harmer's spin-web traps India again: Analysing SA spinner's record in India

Mayank

Simon Harmer picks 8/51 vs India in Kolkata [Source: AFP Photos]Simon Harmer picks 8/51 vs India in Kolkata [Source: AFP Photos]

The first India vs South Africa Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, saw India crumbling against spin once again, recording their fourth loss in the last six home Tests. As the Proteas sealed their first victory on Indian soil since February 2010, Simon Harmer played an instrumental role for his team, upon his first visit in over a decade.

Simon Harmer's 8 wickets led South Africa to a famous win in Kolkata

After the visitors got bowled out for just 159 in the first innings, Harmer took the onus upon himself to dismantle the Indian middle-order on a spin-friendly wicket and took 4/30 in his 15.2 overs. The dismissals of Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel and Axar Patel restricted India to only a 30-run lead.

He backed up his first innings performance with another four-fer in the second innings, while defending a low total of 123 runs. He kept building pressure on the hosts and picked crucial wickets of Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav to finish with the match figures of 8/51 (29.2).

This performance from the off-spinner came at the back of his four-fers in Mohali and Nagpur in his last tour before he signed a Kolpak deal with Essex and went on a long hiatus from international cricket.

Here's a breakdown of his record in India.

Harmer strengthens his record in India

Criterion
Stats
Matches3
Innings6
Wickets18
Bowling average16.94
Bowling strike rate37.50
Economy rate2.70
Best figures4/21
4w/5w4/0

(Simon Harmer's record in India)

Inference

Boasting a record of over 1000 wickets in First Class cricket, Harmer is a seasoned campaigner and has done extremely well throughout his career on not-so-spin-friendly wickets of England and South Africa. So, with the help on offer in the Indian conditions, he knows how to keep things tight and build pressure on the opposition, which is evident with his economy rate.

While his 10 wickets in two Tests of the last tour did not hurt India much, his return to sub-continent has started off on a happy note, as the Proteas cannot lose the ongoing series.

The 36-year-old master on how to just do enough and get the most out of the conditions. Two LBWs and two caught and bowls in the match at the Eden Gardens is a testament to his ability to keep the ball on the stumps and adjust the line as required to make the batters play.

Conclusion

Harmer thrives in getting the best out of the spinner-friendly conditions, not just in India but in the whole sub-continent. His 13 wickets in 2 Tests vs Pakistan, followed by 8 wickets in this Test, show that he can lead their spin-attack despite Keshav Maharaj's presence in the team.

Despite visiting India after over a decade, he has only shown improvement with experience to help his team to a historic win, as they now look to seal the series.

His 8/51 in the POTM-winning performance in Kolkata is the best bowling figure for a South African spinner in India. Heading into the Guwahati Test, he will once again pose India a great challenge and can be crucial to the visitors' chances of a historic series win.