In a thrilling Test match played in Kolkata, South Africa secured a historic 30-run victory against Team India, while the undisputed hero of this triumph was spinner Simon Harmer, whose exceptional bowling performance left the Indian batsmen struggling. Harmer bagged a total of 8 wickets in this crucial encounter, earning him the Player of the Match award. Team India failed to chase a modest target of 124 runs in their final innings, having been bowled out for 189 in their first innings.
Harmer's Dominance in the Kolkata Test
Simon Harmer showcased his mastery of spin on the Kolkata pitch, which offered considerable assistance to the spinners. He emerged as the most successful bowler in the match, claiming four wickets in each innings. Indian batsmen visibly struggled against his variations, failing to read his deliveries effectively, while in the first innings, Harmer conceded just 30 runs in 15. 2 overs, dismissing key batsmen like Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Dhruv Jurel. His performance in the second innings was equally impactful, as he took four more wickets for only 20 runs in 14 overs, sending Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav back to the pavilion, thereby sealing India's fate.
A Decade-Long Wait and a Bitter Past
This moment was particularly memorable for Simon Harmer, as he was playing a Test match in India after a significant gap of nearly 10 years. His previous tour to India in 2015 had proven to be a nightmare, leading to his exclusion from the South African team. He remained out of international cricket for approximately seven years, a challenging period that prompted introspection and a dedicated effort to refine his game.
The Turning Point: Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana
Following his exclusion from the international team in 2015, Simon Harmer made a pivotal decision. He chose to leave South Africa and travel to India, where he spent about ten days at the MCA Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana in Mumbai, while this period marked a significant turning point in his career. During his stay, he worked intensively on his bowling with Umesh Patwal, whom he considers his guru. Harmer's initial encounter with Umesh was during a Cricket South Africa spin camp in India, where Umesh. Patwal served as the Cricket Director at Global Cricket School, which collaborated with CSA for the spin camps.
Umesh Patwal's Transformative Coaching
Over those ten days, Umesh Patwal completely revolutionized Simon Harmer's bowling technique. Umesh first taught Simon the correct way to grip the ball. Prior to this, Harmer had never used his thumb while gripping the ball, but Umesh insisted on its importance. Throughout his career, Simon had operated under the assumption that to generate more spin or revs on the ball, he needed to grip it tighter. Umesh not only changed his awareness regarding how to hold and release the ball but also. Worked on his run-up, which proved immensely beneficial for Simon and injected new life into his bowling.
The Kolpak Deal and International Comeback
After diligently working on his bowling, Simon Harmer made another significant decision in 2017. He signed a Kolpak deal in England, while a Kolpak deal In essence means a player foregoes international cricket to sign a contract with a European county (such as an English county), allowing them to play without being counted as an overseas player and thus not requiring an overseas player slot. However, in 2022, he made a triumphant return to the South African national team. He was also part of the team's recent tour to Pakistan, where he delivered impressive performances.
A Record-Breaking Return
Simon Harmer has played 13 Test matches for South Africa to date, taking 60 wickets at an average of 23. 38. His performance against India has been particularly outstanding, with 18 wickets in just 3 Test matches. This marks a record for any South African spin bowler, achieving the most wickets in their first three matches against India. His comeback in the Kolkata Test isn't just an inspiring personal story of perseverance and the importance of proper guidance but also a significant moment for South African cricket.
