PROTEAS STUN INDIA

SPINNER Simon Harmer claimed a match haul of eight wickets to lead the Proteas to a thrilling 30-run win over India inside three days of a low-scoring opening Test on Sunday.

India, without captain and leading batter Shubman Gill who was ruled out because of a neck injury he suffered on Saturday, faltered in their chase of 124 to be bowled out for 93 in Kolkata.

Harmer, who had figures of 4/30 in the first Indian innings, struck key blows in the second session including getting Rishabh Pant caught and bowled for two to dent the hosts’ chase.

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj struck twice in two balls to pack off India and trigger wild celebrations in the South African camp with the reigning world Test champions taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Proteas captain Temba Bavuma hit a defiant 55 not out to lift his span’s second innings total to 153 after they slipped to 91/7 on day two.

The Proteas scored 159 in their first innings to which India responded with 189.

Washington Sundar attempted to anchor India’s chase, but fell to Aiden Markram’s off-spin for 31.

Axar Patel gave the crowd some cheer with his two sixes off Maharaj before the bowler had his revenge to send the batter caught out for 26 off 17 balls.

Left-arm quick Marco Jansen ripped out the Indian openers before lunch with the hosts effectively 10/3 in the absence of Gill, who is in hospital and “under observation”, at the break and Harmer soon took charge and returned figures of 4/21.

Wickets fell in clusters as Harmer, who was named player of the match, kept up the charge to send back Dhruv Jurel, Pant and Ravindra Jadeja in quick succession.