In 2017, Simon Harmer signed the ‘Kolpak Deal’ to play for the English county team Essex. Harmer had given up hope of playing Test cricket for South Africa. This off-spinner played for the first time in India with the South African team that toured India in 2015, but he had an average performance in this series. After which his chances of playing another Test match in India were almost over. However, Harmer has performed brilliantly on the current tour of India, playing an important role in helping the South African team achieve a historic 2-0 win in the two-match series.

What did Simon say about playing after 2015?

After registering a big win of 408 runs in the Guwahati Test against India, Simon Harmer said on Wednesday, ‘I never thought that I would get another chance in international cricket and I also never thought that I would come to India to play again. To be here, to win the series 2-0 and to be named player of the series, it is very special. I think it will take some time to understand and assimilate it and this is a very special victory for us.

Statement given on the historic victory in India

Simon Harmer said in response to a question asked by ‘PTI’, ‘Yes, I think when I signed the Kolpak deal, one of the conditions was that I would never be able to play for my country again, so I had accepted this fact.’

Harmer, who won the ‘Player of the Series’ award by taking 17 wickets in two Test matches in India, was expecting an excellent performance from himself on this tour. He said, ‘I always wanted to be able to look back at the end of my career and say that I was the best for myself.

The Guwahati Test is completely in the grip of South Africa. After gaining a lead of 288 runs in the first innings, South Africa declared its second innings at 260 runs. India now has a lofty target of 549 runs to draw the series. Tristan Stubbs scored the highest score of 94 runs for South Africa.

South Africa declared its innings at 260 runs for 5 wickets in the final session on the fourth day of the second Test being played in Guwahati. The visiting team had achieved a huge lead of 288 runs in the first innings. In such a situation, Team India got the target of 549 runs. Even if the Indian team draws this test match, the series will remain in the name of South Africa.

South Africa had scored 489 runs in its first innings, in response to which India was able to score only 201 runs. In this way, South Africa had gained a lead of 288 runs in the first innings and now by scoring 260 runs, it has given the target of 549 runs to Team India.

Tristan Stubbs missed a century

Tristan Stubbs was out after scoring 94 runs in 190 balls with the help of 9 fours and one six. As soon as he was out, South African captain Temba Bavuma declared the innings. India’s only success in the second session was in the form of Tony DiGeorge, who was out after scoring 49 runs. For India, Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets and Washington Sundar took one wicket.

South Africa’s main objective during the first two sessions was to ensure that India could not achieve the target in the fourth innings. Indian spinners were getting turn in the first session, but Georgi and Stubbs troubled the spinners by making a partnership of 101 runs in the second session. Stubbs and Georgie hit many sweep shots against the Indian spinners. Jadeja did not allow Georgi to complete his half-century by giving him out LBW.

Batting will not be easy in the fourth innings

After a certain time, it seemed from the expressions of the Indian fielders that they were waiting for the second session to end, after which the innings was expected to be declared. The way Jadeja and Washington are getting turn can be a matter of concern for the Indian batsmen. The pitch is now cracking and is likely to crack further as the game progresses, making it difficult for India to bat in the fourth innings.

For South Africa, openers Ryan Rickleton (35 runs on 64 balls) and Aiden Markram (29 runs on 84 balls) once again made a half-century partnership, but Jadeja dismissed both of them. Washington then dismissed captain Temba Bavuma (03), whose bouncing ball kissed the batsman’s gloves and went into the safe hands of Nitish Kumar Reddy standing in the leg slip. Whereas Viaan Mulder returned unbeaten after scoring 35 runs in 69 balls with the help of five fours.

India defend home series after losing 1st test: India had suffered a shameful defeat in the first match of the ongoing 2-match Test series between India and South Africa. The defeat of the Kolkata Test showed that Team India is no longer as strong at home as it used to be. The impenetrable fort of the Indian team at its home ground has now collapsed. Last year, under the coaching of Gautam Gambhir, Team India had to face a clean sweep at home against New Zealand. While chasing the target of 124 runs in the Kolkata Test, the Indian team collapsed for just 93 runs. Now the question in the minds of all Indian fans is whether India can make a comeback in this series?

In the last five decades, there have been seven home Test series where India lost its first match. In six of these, Team India avoided losing the series, won five series and drew one. Only once in 2024 did the Indian team face defeat in the series after losing the first match against New Zealand.

How many times was the series successful in saving

England 1972–73: India was trailing 0-1 in this series after the defeat in Delhi. After this, Team India won against England in Kolkata and Chennai and took a lead of 2-1 and the last two tests were drawn.

Australia 2001: After losing the series by 10 wickets in Mumbai, India won thrillers in Kolkata and Chennai to win the home series 2–1.

South Africa 2009–10: The Indian team had to face an innings defeat in the first Test in Nagpur. In the next match, India defeated South Africa in Kolkata and drew the series 1-1.

Australia 2016–17: In the first Test played in Pune, India had to face a defeat of 333 runs. After this, Team India won the series 2-1 by winning in Bengaluru and Dharamsala.

England 2020-21: In this series, India had to face defeat by 227 runs in the Chennai Test. After this, Team India won the series 3-1 with three consecutive wins.

England 2023-24: In this series, after the defeat in Hyderabad, they won in Vizag, Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharamshala and won the series 4-1. For the first time in 112 years, a team won a 5-match Test series 4-1, even after losing the first match.

Since 1972, India has won the series five times and converted it into a draw once after losing the series 0-1 at home. The only exception is the 3-0 clean sweep against New Zealand in 2024.

India Vs South Africa 2nd Test Match: South Africa has suffered a big setback before the Guwahati Test. The two key players who won the first Test in Kolkata, off-spinner Simon Harmer and all-rounder Marco Johnson, have been hospitalized due to injuries. This news is a matter of concern for the visiting team. This happened at a time when the visiting team wants to win the series by winning the second and final Test starting from November 22.

Kolkata test hero injured

Harmer and Johnson played important roles in the historic 30-run win against India at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. For which Harmer was chosen man of the match. Harmer had devastated India’s batting by taking a total of 8 wickets in the first test.

At the same time, Johnson also made an important contribution by taking 3 wickets in the first innings and 2 wickets in the second innings. Thanks to the brilliant bowling of these two, South Africa won the Test match on Indian soil after 15 years.

Tension increased for the visiting team

According to reports, Harmer suffered a shoulder injury, while Johnson is suffering from a minor niggle. Both players were taken for medical examination to Woodlands Hospital in Kolkata, where Indian captain Shubman Gill was also treated. However, it is not yet clear how serious his injury is and whether he will be able to play in the Guwahati Test or not. The possible absence of these two players can create a big problem for South Africa, especially the absence of an influential spinner like Harmer can prove to be a big loss against a strong batting team like India.

Opportunity for Team India

This could be an opportunity for India to make a comeback in the Team India series. The Indian team will be desperate to recover from the defeat in the first Test against South Africa and level the series at 1-1 and the injury to two key players of South Africa can prove to be a big advantage for India.