As the difficulties caused by the first Test are still not completely solved, the second IND vs SA Test in Guwahati might bring more challenges for the Indians. The home team was defeated by the South African team in Kolkata after getting all out for just 93 runs in the last innings. Still, India’s concern is increasing slightly after the visitors have announced that two of their important players, Kagiso Rabada and Simon Harmer, will be available for the match.
The Proteas pacer could not play in the first Test due to a rib injury. However, South African medical team has been monitoring Rabada on a regular basis and the decision on his availability will be made in the next 24 hours. The off-spinner Simon Harmer, who had a big role in South Africa’s victory over India, is going to be fit for Guwahati after suffering a minor injury.
“Rabada has been under medical observation. We will take a call in the next 24 hours,” said South Africa bowling coach Piet Botha.
Apart from the two South African players, the attention will also be on the Guwahati pitch, which has grass covering, two days before the match starts. The Protea bowling coach said he is not sure if India will remove any grass from the wicket over the next two days. If that happens, then it will have a significant impact on the way the pitch behaves.
Botha also mentioned that the early start would mean that there would be some moisture on the wicket, which will be good for the bowlers. Thus, the first hour of play on each day will be very important. For the batters, it will be about surviving the difficult period. In terms of venue, spin bowling is the last option. It remains to be seen if the pitch will be able to sustain that much through the day.
The Importance of Simon Harmer in 2nd IND vs SA Test
The off-spinner Simon Harmer was the main actor in the Indian first batter woeful performance and took four wickets in each innings. The 36-year-old bowler’s action is quite straightforward, but he can break the opposing team’s resistance through his skillfully crafted variations that greatly contribute to his strikes. The way he employed his variations in the first Test was a delight to the audience.
Harmer’s success in the second Test will come from the fact that a lot of India’s batting order consists of left-handed batsmen.
Besides, the Indian team always seems to have a hard time dealing with the spinning balls when the pitches are a bit in favor of the spinners. When one considers they will be batting in the fourth innings, the challenge becomes even greater. Thus, the South Africans will have their opportunities in the second IND vs SA Test.
To avoid any misunderstanding, it should be noted that Simon Harmer does not perform any superhuman or also not a wizard-like thing. The off-spinner has a successful actor in cinema reading who knows very well when to operate his skills economically. By turning his index finger, he applies spin to the ball that is very hard for the batter to see from the bowler’s hands. So, the batter has to read it off the ground which is more time-consuming.
However, one of the top hurdles for the Indians prior to the second IND vs SA Test will be to present a pitch that will not render the difference in the quality of the two teams’ spin-bowling options illusory. The Indian team has developed a habit of getting South Africa back in the game, which has been their weak point, by providing spin-friendly pitches.
