- India suffer biggest-ever Test defeat
- Harmer takes 6/37 to finish with 17 wickets in the series
- South Africa claim first Test series win in India in 25 years
South Africa completed a stunning 2-0 whitewash over India with a massive 408-run victory, handing the hosts their heaviest defeat in Test history at the country’s newest venue. The result also ended India’s long-standing dominance at home, marking their second series defeat in a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
Simon Harmer produced a masterclass in spin bowling, dismantling India with 6 for 37 to finish the series with an astonishing 17 wickets at 8.94, the best by any bowler in a series in India. Marco Jansen, who took 12 wickets in the series, backed him superbly and contributed with a brilliant 93 and a series-defining one-handed running catch.
India’s troubles began early as injuries, dropped chances, and inconsistent batting left them with no answers on a pitch offering sharp turn and natural variation. Shubman Gill’s injury on the opening morning summed up a series where nothing went India’s way, leaving their World Test Championship campaign in danger at just 48.15% points.
Harmer and Jansen tore through India on the final day, picking apart the right-handers with drift, bounce, and seam-orientation trickery. Only Ravindra Jadeja offered resistance with a fighting fifty, but South Africa’s bowlers remained relentless, with Aiden Markram taking a world-record nine catches across the match.
South Africa declared earlier at 260/5, setting up the perfect platform to seal their first Test series win in India since 1999. Under Temba Bavuma’s unbeaten leadership record, the Proteas dominated every session, every spell, and every moment to deliver a statement victory, one that will be remembered for years.
