Published On Apr 16, 2020
Harbhajan's 7 wickets was crucial for india that indian won the test mach
and won the two match test series 1-0. Harbhajan's 15th 5 wicket haul.
Harbhajan became Player of the match.
Harbhajan snared up the first four wickets as he ripped through the South African top order to completely change the complexion of the game after the visitors were 77 for no loss at one stage on a deteriorating Eden Gardens track which gave plenty of assistance to the slow bowlers.
Harbhajan (4/58) opened up the floodgates by getting rid of Andrew Hall (21) and then plotted the dismissals of dangerman Graeme Smith (71), Jacques Rudolph (3) and Hashim Amla (2) in quick succession to put the hosts in the driver's seat.India, however, had one crucial decision go against them when a bat-pad catch appeal against Jacques Kallis off Harbhajan was turned down by umpire Daryl Harper.Television replays showed a thick inside edge from Kallis who was on two then.
Kallis was surprised by Harbhajan’s extra bounce and offered a simple return catch to bring an end to his 135-minute vigil, during which he hit four boundaries.Harbhajan then dealt a double blow, when he had Shaun Pollock and Justin Ontong dismissed in three balls.Pollock was unfortunate as he padded up and the ball hit the knee roll before Gautam Gambhir scooped it up at short leg.Television replays showed no contact between bat and ball, but Daryl Harper, who rejected a similar appeal against Kallis.
Two balls later, Ontong missed a sweep off Harbhajan and the ball climbed up after hitting his wrist for a simple catch to the wicketkeeper.
India relied on Harbhajan Singh’s guiles to clinch their first home series win in two years with a facile eight-wicket victory over South Africa in the second cricket Test.
Harbhajan said he was glad that he could help the team to win the match. He said the Eden had always been a lucky ground for him and, it was proved true once again.