In what turned out to be a low-scoring but fiercely competitive Test, the World Test Champions overcame the odds to silence the Kolkata faithful with a spirited second-innings fightback. South Africa posted 159 in their first innings, and India replied with 189 to take a 30-run lead. The Proteas were then bowled out for 153 in their second innings, setting India a modest 124 for victory - thanks largely to a dogged, unbeaten 55 from Bavuma. 

The captain faced 136 deliveries and single-handedly dragged his side to the slightest of defendable totals.

Chasing 124, India were bundled out for just 93, with spinner Simon Harmer starring again. He bagged 4/21 in 14 overs to add to his 4/30 from 15.2 overs in the first innings, finishing with a brilliant Test haul of 8/51.

Temba Bavuma. Photo: Cricinfo

Following the victory, Conrad again emphasised his belief that Bavuma is the one the best players in the world in current form.

“Firstly, on Temba – I said it two days before the Test match – having our best player back is very reassuring for us.” 

“It brings a calmness. In the last 18 to 24 months, he’s been one of the best players in the world, and he showed that again yesterday afternoon and this morning.

“It was an innings where he was clear about how he wanted to go about it, and he went against the grain of everyone else in the match. That was the difference between the two sides. Temba’s innings, and his partnership with Bosie this morning, was immense and gave us something we felt we could defend.”

Bavuma’s record as captain continues to shine – in his last 11 Tests as skipper, South Africa have recorded ten wins and one draw.

Conrad also praised Harmer and the depth of South Africa’s spin options, saying the Proteas now have a “flock” of spinners rather than only one or two.

“With regards to the spinners, I think we’ve always had decent ones – we just never had a crop of them,” Conrad said.

Simon Harmer. Photo: Cricinfo

“Keshav Maharaj has been around forever, but previously we had guys like Paul Harris, and then Claude Henderson and Simon Harmer went on Kolpak deals. Because of the Test matches we played at home, we rarely played more than one spinner, so we were always found wanting when we came to the subcontinent.

“It took a mindset shift to start showing real belief in spin bowlers. When Simon called me a few months ago, saying he was desperate to play for South Africa again, I was even more desperate to have him back.

“I’m thrilled that we can come to the subcontinent with a quality group of spinners. It will do wonders for our game back home, because youngsters can now see there’s a clear line of sight – that we’re keen on spinners as well, and that South Africa isn’t only a fast-bowling country.”

The second and final Test gets underway on Saturday at 05:30 in Guwahati.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs