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Simon Harmer bowls at the net during the practice session ahead of the first test match between India and South Africa, in Kolkata, India, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. (AP Photo)
In 2015, a 26-year-old off-spinner who had played only three Tests arrived in India for perhaps his toughest test, to try and help South Africa win a series in India. Simon Harmer’s captain in that series was Hashim Amla, who said on Wednesday that the now 36-year-old could prove effective in the upcoming Test series, in partnership with Keshav Maharaj.
“Yeah, Simon (Harmer), 10 years ago, when we came here, I think obviously he was much younger, naturally. And with 10 years of experience, he’s been fantastic in county cricket, in South African cricket. And the way he bowls, you see the confidence that he’s got. So I think he’s going to be a real handful. And thankfully, he’s got Keshav Maharaj at the other end, who himself is probably one of the best left-arm spinners in the world. So it’s going to be quite a formidable duo. And we’re hoping that that will be good for South Africa. And they do well,” Amla said on Wednesday.
Amla’s former captain, Graeme Smith, felt that bowling South Africa to a win in Pakistan would give Harmer the confidence to do well against India. The off-spinner took a match haul of 8/125 to help his side to a series-levelling win at Rawalpindi by eight wickets.
“I think actually the Pakistan tour was a big one for Harmer, I think he’s really done well at domestic level and county level but when he’s got his opportunities, maybe because it’s been a bit sporadic as well for him he’s almost struggled a little bit with the expectation and the step up so I think certainly bowling South Africa to victory and being successful I think would give him the confidence. It’s not often South African spinners have come to India and done well, but I think that Maharaj and Harmer have the ability to spin the ball and control the game, so I think that’s exciting. It’d be interesting to see how Temba (Bavuma) uses them, but I think it’s good to have combinations for both left-handers and right-handers,” Smith said.
Speaking about the upcoming SA20 in December, Smith praised the IPL’s and fans’ support in helping the league grow further.
“India has been at the heart of SA20’s journey from the start. The support of the IPL-owned teams and our partnership with JioStar has been vital. As we head into Season 4, we’re excited to strengthen that bond and continue delivering a league that resonates across South Africa and the subcontinent,” he said.
Former South African captain Faf du Plessis said he was disappointed that the upcoming India versus South Africa series was only a two-Test affair, admitting that the modern-day scheduling has forced shorter series between top teams. “It’s unfortunate that it’s only two test matches. That’s the downside of the new schedule these days. You almost feel like just when you start getting into a series, the series is over. I’m a fan of a minimum of three Test matches, but that’s something that’s happening a lot more these days,” he said.
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