South African spinner Simon Harmer was taken to the hospital after leading Team India to victory in the first Test of the two-match series at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. However, the off-spinner returned to training ahead of the second Test in Guwahati from November 22.
Harmer injured his right shoulder during the series opener. This incident happened when he was fielding. He landed awkwardly and injured his shoulder trying to stop the ball from reaching the boundary. The spin bowler was taken to a hospital in Kolkata for scans to assess the extent of the damage.
Simon Harmer was named player of the match for his sensational bowling
Simon Harmer made full use of Kolkata’s spin-friendly surface. With the visitors choosing only two spinners, they took advantage of the conditions which favored the slower bowlers. India had prepared a turning pitch, hoping it would work in their favour.
Harmer performed exceptionally well in the entire match, taking 8 wickets for 51 runs. He took four wickets in each innings, leaving India’s batsmen with no chance to respond. The spinner dismissed batsmen like Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav.
Harmer won the player of the match award. The Proteas defended a total of 123 runs on the third day, bowling out India for just 93 runs. They won by 30 runs and it was their first Test win on Indian soil in 15 years.
Simon Harmer is back in full fitness and training as South Africa prepare for the ACA Stadium
RevSportz on X (formerly known as Twitter) shared photos of South Africa’s training session at the ACA Stadium ahead of the second Test. The biggest positive for the visitors was the return of Simon Harmer to action after suffering a shoulder injury in the series opener.
Harmer looked fully fit and bowled for long periods in the nets along with fellow spinner Keshav Maharaj. His recovery is important for South Africa, especially after his match-winning performance in Kolkata. He is ready to enter the field in Guwahati with a series win.
In pictures: Moments from South Africa’s practice here at the ACA Stadium. Simon Harmer is fully fit and was seen bowling with Maharaj in the nets.
@debasisen #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/b2WJW61kqb– RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) 20 November 2025
South Africa moves to second place in ICC WTC 2025-27 standings
South Africa moved to second place in the ICC World Test Championship table for the 2025-27 cycle. They are behind Australia with a PCT of 66.67, while Sri Lanka slipped to third and India slipped to fourth with 54.17.
Temba Bavuma took charge of South Africa’s second innings with an unbeaten 55 on a turning pitch. India were missing regular captain Shubman Gill during the run chase. Gill retired hurt after facing three balls in the first innings and took no part in the rest of the match.
Washington Sundar and Akshar Patel showed brief resistance. Sundar made 31 before becoming the victim of Aiden Markram’s part-time spin, while Patel made 26 before being dismissed by Maharaj. The win led to massive celebrations as South Africa achieved a rare Test win on Indian soil.
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