Simon Harmer launches ruthless attack on Indian media after South Africa’s dominance in Kolkata Test
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South African spinner Simon Harmer took a subtle dig at critics after he led South Africa to a 30-run win at the Eden Gardens with an 8-wicket haul with the ball. He has also praised his entire team for the stunning win.
Simon Harmer has picked 60 wickets for South Africa at an average of 23.38 and has seven four-wicket and one five-wicket haul to his name.
Simon Harmer reflects on the belief shown by Temba Bavuma and the Proteas
Simon Harmer took a dig at the critics after their victory against India at the Eden Gardens. The Proteas won the game by defending a short target of 124 runs, and Simon Harmer was awarded the player of the match.
He also shed light on the fact that the Indian media had almost declared them the losing side and declared the game to be done and dusted at the end of day 2. He praised Bavuma and the entire team for their belief and joint effort.
"It was a foregone conclusion. The Indian media said this game was done and dusted. On that wicket, we just needed one partnership and I think the way Temba batted, his tempo, he had a very solid and definite game plan."
"There was definitely the belief. We were thinking we could have got to 150 there. And then we go out and Marco gets those two wickets and with Shubman not playing, they were effectively none for three. We thought we had a real chance. Everybody chipped in. It's cliche but it was a proper team effort," he said on 'talkSPORTCricket'.
Simon Harmer played a huge role in South Africa's win
Simon Harmer played a massive role in their victory, as he bagged 8 wickets for the Proteas. He picked up four wickets across both innings of play, as the off-spinner was exceptionally economical with spells of 4/30 and 4/21 in the two innings.
He claimed that the team had belief at the end of day two and manifested a victory. As a lot of their players have been on the wrong side of results previously, he reflected that this win was very important from a wider point of view.
"The chat at the end of day two was a chip and a chair. If you've got a chip and chair at the table, you've got a chance. Sort of manifesting that, and for it to come into reality the next day, to sit back down, I think there's a few boys in the dressing room who have been on the other side of the result more often than not, especially in India," said Simon Harmer.
"So they were extremely excited and chuffed. The noise when Axar was hitting those sixes in the stadium was deafening. So yeah, you're hoping things go your way, and they do," Simon Harmer reflected.
Harmer credits the Indian coach for turning the course of his career back in 2016
After his splendid performance, Simon Harmer revealed that he had visited India back in 2016, when he trained in Mumbai with coach Umesh Patwal. Harmer opened up on how Patwal helped him evolve as an international bowler with developed skills as a spinner.
"I think the turning point in my career was that trip to Mumbai in 2016. I got to work with Umesh Patwal and basically, everything I thought I knew about spin bowling, he laughed at. It was the most frustrating two weeks of my life. The things that I thought were important it was just thrown out of the window. The evolution from there, it's a constant learning process," he said.
"As an off spinner its the little subtle changes that make the difference. I love getting into competition with the batters and there's no better place to do it than in the subcontinent and the peak of that is here in India, because they are some of the best players of spin in the world," he added.
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India National Cricket Team South Africa National Cricket Team India vs South Africa South Africa vs India Simon Harmer Keshav Maharaj
