Simon Harmer launches merciless attack on Indian media after South Africa dominate Calcutta Test

South African spinner Simon Harmer has subtly slammed critics after leading South Africa to a 30-run victory at the Eden Gardens with an 8-wicket haul with the ball. He also congratulated his entire team for this superb victory.

Simon Harmer has picked 60 wickets for South Africa at an average of 23.38 and has seven four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul to his name.

Simon Harmer reflects on the belief shown by Temba Bavuma and the Proteas

Simon Harmer has hit out at critics after their win against India at the Eden Gardens. The Proteas won the match defending a short target of 124 runs, and Simon Harmer was named player of the match.

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He also shed light on the fact that the Indian media almost declared them losers and declared the match done and dusted by the end of the second day. He congratulated Bavuma and the entire team for their common belief and efforts.

“It was a foregone conclusion. The Indian media said this match was done and dusted. On that wicket we only needed one partnership and I think the way Temba was batting, his tempo, he had a very solid and precise game plan.”

“There was definitely belief. We thought we could have made it to 150 there. And then we go out and Marco gets those two wickets and with Shubman not bowling, they were effectively none for three. We thought we had a real chance. Everyone contributed. It’s cliché but it was a real team effort,” he said on ‘talkSPORTCricket’.

Simon Harmer played a major role in South Africa’s victory

Simon Harmer played a major role in their victory, taking 8 wickets for the Proteas. He picked up four wickets in the two innings of play as the off-spinner was exceptionally economical with spells of 4/30 and 4/21 in the two innings.

He said the team had confidence at the end of the second day and achieved a victory. As many of their players have been on the wrong side of results before, he felt this victory was very important from a wider perspective.

“The talk at the end of the second day was a chip and a chair. If you have a chip and a chair at the table, you have a chance. To manifest that, and to make it a reality the next day, to sit down, I think there are a few boys in the dressing room who have been on the other side of the result more often than not, especially in India,” Simon Harmer said.

“So they were extremely excited and relieved. The noise when Axar hit those sixes in the stadium was deafening. So yeah, you hope things go your way, and they do,” mused Simon Harmer.

Harmer thanks Indian coach for turning the tide of his career in 2016

After his splendid performance, Simon Harmer revealed that he visited India in 2016, when he trained in Mumbai with coach Umesh Patwal. Harmer spoke about how Patwal helped him develop as an international bowler with skills developed as a spinner.

“I think the turning point in my career was that trip to Mumbai in 2016. I worked with Umesh Patwal and basically everything I thought I knew about spin bowling, he laughed. It was the most frustrating two weeks of my life. The things that I thought were important were thrown out the window. Growing from there, it’s a constant learning process,” he said.

“As a spinner, it’s the small, subtle changes that make the difference. I love competing with the batters and there is no better place to do that than in the subcontinent and the pinnacle is here in India as they are some of the best spinners in the world,” he added.

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