Follow UsHistory has been scripted by South Africa in Guwahati as months after winning the World Test Championship (WTC), they’ve achieved another massive feat, this time registering their first series win in India in 25 years. They’ve not just won the series but humiliated India in the process, completing a 2-0 whitewash.
And it’s a victory that’s been masterminded by none other than Simon Harmer, a man who was at the receiving end of a brutal 3-0 series loss back in 2015, when he toured India for the first time.
Weeks after bringing up 1,000 first-class wickets, Harmer showed why, on current form, he is inarguably the best Test spinner in the world as he waltzed through the Indian batting line-up, taking a whopping 17 wickets across two Tests at a quite ridiculous average of 8.94.
It’s statistically the greatest ever showing by any opposition bowler in a Test series in India.
Best bowling average for an away bowler in a series in India (min 15 wickets)
8.94 - Simon Harmer in 2025
14.00 - Sir Richard Hadlee in 1988/89
14.61 - John Leveer in 1976/77
Harmer struck every 28 balls, which is also the best return in history by an opposition bowler in a Test series in India.
Best bowling strike rate for an away bowler in a series in India (min 15 wickets)
28.0 - Simon Harmer, 2025
30.8 - Ajaz Patel, 2024
31.6 - Courtney Walsh, 1987
Harmer’s showing in this series came agonisingly close to being the best ever by any bowler in a series in India. In terms of bowling average, there’s been only one better showing in Indian conditions, and that’s Narendra Hirwani against West Indies back in 1988.
Best bowling average for a bowler in a series in India (min 15 wickets)
8.50 - Narendra Hirwani vs WI in 1988
8.94 - Simon Harmer vs IND in 2025
10.54 - Axar Patel vs ENG in 2021
10.82 - Ravindra Jadeja vs SA in 2025
Additionally, Harmer has now established himself as the best-ever South African bowler in India.
Most wickets for a South African in India in Tests
27 - Simon Harmer
26 - Dale Steyn
21 - Morne Morkel
18 - Makhaya Ntini
Most wickets for a South African bowler in a Test series in India
17 - Simon Harmer, 2025
15 - Dale Steyn, 2008
14 - Paul Adams, 1996
14 - Imran Tahir, 2015
Statistically, now, Harmer is South Africa’s best-ever bowler in Asia.
Best bowling average for a South African in Asia (min 30 wickets)
20.09 - Simon Harmer
20.33 - Allan Donald
23.18 - Shaun Pollock
24.11 - Dale Steyn
After years of toiling in the domestic circuit and county cricket without much recognition, Harmer has finally ended up getting the flowers he deserves. This has proven to be a legacy-sealing series for him in every way.