South Africa spinner Simon Harmer reflected on his match-winning spell in the first Test against India at the Eden Gardens. Harmer played a key role in South Africa’s 30-run win, taking eight wickets across the two innings. His effort helped the visitors take a 1-0 lead in the series, and the experienced off-spinner said he was glad to step up when the team needed him the most.
Harmer, who earned the Player of the Match award, spoke honestly about the pressure he felt and the belief that helped him push through. During the post-match presentation, he said he was pleased with his overall impact on the game. “I felt today it was a bit flatter as the ball got older; it wasn’texploding as much. I asked myself some hard questions. Nice to contribute. I have been here before and it was a dark place. So to get here and be in this position, to be behind the eight ball again and to be able to fight back the way we did just shows our belief,” Harmer said.
He admitted he was not fully satisfied with every ball he bowled, but he was grateful that his spells made a difference. “I missed quite a bit today and was lucky with Jurel’s wicket. Just happy to be standing in this position with a win behind us… I am more than happy with the four-for and a win. We needed to make sure to get the ball in the right areas. As you saw with the openers, there was enough turn. They had to play; the bowlers bowled as a unit,” he added.
Harmer’s figures highlight his control and discipline. In the first innings, he picked up four wickets for just 30 runs at an excellent economy rate of 1.95. In the second innings, he was even tighter, taking four more wickets while giving away only 21 runs at an economy rate of 1.50.
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