IND vs SA 2025: 'We don't win often in India, so I am happy' - Simon Harmer reflects on match-winning outing

Experienced off-spinner Simon Harmer mentioned that he felt happy to be a contributing element in South Africa's 30-run win against the Indian team in the first Test at the Eden Gardens. The Proteas bossed with the win in Kolkata to take the 1-0 lead in the two-match series, winning a low-scoring thriller by a margin of 30 runs.

Harmer admitted that the ball was not doing as much off the surface as it did in the first two days of the match. He also frankly mentioned that he along with the team will savour the win for a few days 'because Test wins on the Indian soil have been a rarity for them. The one in Kolkata was their first victory in India after 15 years.  

"I felt today it probably got a little bit flatter as the ball got softer. It wasn't exploding as much. I was asking myself some hard questions. Nice to contribute. I've been here before (in India), and it was a dark place. I'm not a stats man, I'm happy with the win. Obviously, still another Test to go in the series, but we'll definitely enjoy this and stay with this because they don't come around that often," stated Harmer at the post-match presentation.

Harmer pointed out the match remained within the grasp of the South Africans with both bat and ball, and it was only a matter of execution for the touring side. The off-spinner also said that trusted the pitch to provide the assistance which was required.

"I knew that I needed to bowl well. I think it was the same when we were batting. We felt like we were one partnership away from getting ourselves into the game. And I think it was the same with the ball in hand. We knew that they were only one partnership away from getting really close. I just needed to try and put as many balls in the right area and trust that the wicket would do its thing," he added.

South Africa have now won 10 out of 11 matches under Temba Bavuma's Test captaincy. The title-winners of the 2023/25 cycle of the World Test Championship will play India in the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. The match is set to get underway on November 22.