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“Job’s far from done…”: South Africa coach eyes historic Test series win in India

Aakash Saini

Temba Bavuma with Shukri Conrad [Source: AFP Photos]Temba Bavuma with Shukri Conrad [Source: AFP Photos]

South Africa thumped India by 30 runs in a low-scoring thriller at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. Defending just 124 for a win on Day 3, South African spinner Simon Harmer picked up a four-wicket haul in the decisive innings, his second in the match to claim a sensational haul of 8-51.

With South Africa 1-0 up in the series, their head coach Shukri Conrad is now eying a slice of history, with his side standing on the brink of a rare Test series win on Indian soil, an achievement few visiting teams have managed in the modern era.

Conrad hails team for overcoming Bumrah, Siraj challenge

While speaking in the post-match press conference, South Africa coach Shukri Conrad praised his team for notching up a remarkable win against India at the Eden Gardens. Conrad also added that the Proteas are now eyeing a chance at further glory by recording a series win in the country, claiming that the “job is far from done”.

He said:

“This was right up there for us. Coming to India, playing at Eden Gardens, doing something we haven't done for 15 years, this is right up there. We won a Test match in Pakistan, we've now won a Test match here but the job's far from done. You don't come to a country to win a Test match, you obviously want to win the series.”

Shukri Conrad further praised the South African team for overcoming India’s quartet of spinners, as well as new ball pacemen Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. He added:

“There was prodigious turn, and the Indian quartet of spinners just don't give you anything. You throw Jasprit Bumrah in there with a new ball and when it starts reverse-swinging, both him and Mohammed Siraj are obviously world-class. It makes our victory even sweeter that we were able to contend with all of that and come out on top. It gives you a belief that you can mix it with the best and do special things.”

With a 1-0 lead in the bag, South Africa will now face India in the series-deciding second Test match from November 22 onwards. The match will be hosted by the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.