GUWAHATI: Spinner Simon Harmer took six wickets as South Africa thrashed India by 408 runs in the second Test on Wednesday to condemn the hosts to a record loss and sweep the series.

It was South Africa’s first series win in India in 25 years, after bowling the home team out for a dismal 140 in an unlikely chase of 549 on day five at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.

India suffered their biggest Test defeat by runs and a fifth loss in seven home matches, having been whitewashed 3-0 by New Zealand little more than a year ago.

Off-spinner Harmer, 36, returned figures of 6-37 as world champions South Africa clinched a Test series in India for only the second time, the first in 2000 under Hansie Cronje.

“Winning a Test match and series in India is very special,” said left-arm quick Marco Jansen, who took 6-48 in India’s first-innings 201 after smashing a quickfire 93 with the bat as the visitors piled up 489.

India lost the opening Test in Kolkata inside three days on a pitch with uneven bounce and South Africa once again beat the hosts at their own game of spin on a batting-friendly track.

Indian coach Gautam Gambhir, under fierce pressure following the latest home whitewash, refused to point the finger of blame squarely at his players.

“It lies with everyone in that dressing room and starts with me,” he told reporters. “I have said it before as well — that we win together, we lose together.”

Asked if he was the right man to lead India, he referred reporters to the Indian cricket board.

“I’ve said it during my first press conference when I took over as the head coach,” said the former batsman.

“Indian cricket is important, I’m not important.”

A confident South Africa led by Temba Bavuma were always in control.

All-rounder Senuran Muthusamy scored 109, his maiden Test century, before Jansen’s blast after electing to bat.

The hosts were bundled out for 201 in reply to concede a first-innings lead of 288 but South Africa did not enforce the follow-on and decided to bat again.

South Africa declared their second innings on 260-5 on day four to hand India a record chase but the hosts’ batting once again failed and they never threatened to get close.

“Whether you’re playing at home or away, cricket demands that determination and the extra effort,” said Indian captain Rishabh Pant.

“As a batting unit you need to capitalise on certain moments. As a team we didn’t do that for a longer period of time, and that cost us the whole series.

Pant further said that they should not be complacent about home success.

“They [South Africa] definitely played better cricket, but at the same time, in cricket you can’t take anything for granted,” said the home skipper.

Starting day five at 27-2 as they attempted to avoid defeat, India rode their luck early when Jansen had Sai Sudharsan caught behind for four, but the delivery was declared a no-ball after the bowler overstepped.

In the next over Kuldeep Yadav survived a reprieve on four when Aiden Markram dropped him at first slip off Harmer.

The relief was short-lived for India as a relentless Harmer bowled Kuldeep for five for the first wicket of the day.

Three balls later the spinner dismissed Dhruv Jurel for two and soon sent back Pant for 13 as India slumped to 58-5.

Ravindra Jadeja resisted with 54 before Keshav Maharaj had him stumped and the spinner soon got the final wicket of Mohammed Siraj, with Jansen pulling off a stunning catch in the deep.

BAVUMA SAVOURS ‘DREAM’ WIN

Bavuma said that South Africa have endured “dark days” and their 2-0 sweep in India reflects their new mindset.

Despite being the reigning world champions, few expected South Africa to dominate India in the way they did -- winning the series opener in Kolkata inside three days before beating the hosts in Guwahati.

“It’s massive,” Bavuma said at the presentation ceremony. “These are the type of things that we’re working towards and dreaming of. It’s not every day where you get to think that you can come to India and walk away with a 2-0 series win.

“I think what makes it sweeter for some of us within the group is the fact that we’ve been on the other side of the result. We’ve had dark days, and we know how tough it can be. I think for this group of gentlemen, again, another incredible achievement.”

South Africa’s first test series victory in India in 25 years looks even more special as it was achieved without pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, who missed both Tests with a rib injury.

South Africa came prepared for spin-friendly wickets in India. Harmer was judged player-of-the-series for his haul of 17 wickets, including six in India’s second innings in Guwahati.

“I think there’s a big shift in our mindset in terms of what we want to do when we’re out there on the field of play,” Bavuma said.“I think our preparation is something that we’ve really upped. I think guys go out there quite clear on their roles and what we’re trying to do.”

Scoreboard

SOUTH AFRICA (1st Innings) 489 (S. Muthusamy 109, M. Jansen 93; K. Yadav 4-115)

INDIA (1st Innings) 201 (Y. Jaiswal 58,

W. Sundar 48; M. Jansen 6-48):

SOUTH AFRICA (2nd Innings) 260-5 decl (T. Stubbs 94; R. Jadeja 4-62)

INDIA (2nd Innings, overnight 27-2):

Y. Jaiswal c Verreynne b Jansen 13

K. L. Rahul b Harmer 6

S. Sudharsan c Markram b Muthusamy 14

K. Yadav b Harmer 5

D. Jurel c Markram b Harmer 2

R. Pant c Markram b Harmer 13

R. Jadeja st Verreynne b Maharaj 54

W. Sundar c Markram b Harmer 16

N. K. Reddy c Verreynne b Harmer 0

J. Bumrah not out 1

M. Siraj c Jansen b Maharaj 0

EXTRAS (B-5, LB-9, NB-2) 16

TOTAL (all out, 63.5 overs) 140

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-17 (Jaiswal), 2-21 (Rahul), 3-40 (Yadav), 4-42 (Jurel), 5-58 (Pant), 6-95 (Sudharsan), 7-130 (Sundar), 8-138 (Reddy), 9-140 (Jadeja)

BOWLING: Jansen 15-7-23-1 (1nb), Mulder 4-1-6-0 (1nb), Harmer 23-6-37-6, Maharaj 12.5-1-37-2, Markram 2-0-2-0, Muthusamy 7-1-21-1

RESULT: South Africa won by 408 runs.

PLAYER-OF-THE-MATCH: Marco Jansen

SERIES: South Africa won the two-match series 2-0.

PLAYER-OF-THE-SERIES: Simon Harmer

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2025