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In front of vacant seats inIndia‘s newest Test venue, South Africaswept aside the hosts’ complete control with a comprehensive victory and theirheaviest Test defeatRegarding the runs, the sequence of session breaks was not the only thing that changed in India’s easternmost Test venue, where South Africa achieved their first series victory in India in 25 years, and India suffered their second series loss in 12 months following a 12-year unbeaten streak.

Simon Harmerbowled out by Miles, the home spinners in a nation, where his regular tour in 2015 led to a seven-year break from Test cricket. No one has done so nowmore wickets with a better averagein a series in India than his 17 wickets at 8.94.Marco JansenHe was slightly behind at 12-10.08, but he concluded the series with yet another moment that can only be described as: “Only Marco could have done that.” A remarkable catch made while running back, diving, and securing it with one hand. Exactly the kind of wicket that Harmer wouldn’t mind missing out on a maiden 10-for.

This was the furthest thought on India’s minds when Shubman Gill joked following another lost toss in Kolkata, suggesting it seemed he would only win in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Since then, India lost Gill to an injury just three balls into his innings, and then both Tests, leaving them with a tough challenge if they want to still have any hope of reaching the WTC final. They now have48.15% pointshalfway through their league games. Historically, at least 60% has been required to reach the final.

The reigning champions, who faced some condescending remarks about their schedule in the previous cycle, now hold 75% of their points. Temba Bavuma, the leader who secured the mace, remains unbeaten in Tests after 12 matches as captain.

Bavuma’s determination to not lose this match had been evident by the middle of the Test. From that point on, South Africa outplayed India with precision and began the fifth day needing eight wickets to secure all 12 WTC points from the game. The iconic Indian Test pitch was now providing steady spin and natural variation.

A mix of Harmer and Jansen, who took a five-wicket haul and scored 93 in the first innings, was always going to challenge India’s determination to bat through the day. The batters who stayed overnight,B Sai Sudharsanand nightwatch Kuldeep Yadav, had some fortune with one wicket saved by a no-ball and another by a missed catch at slipAiden Markram, who took five catches during the first innings.

The fortune lasted only about half an hour. It was always expected to end eventually against Harmer’s skill and determination. Kuldeep was the first to fall, dismissed by an offbreak that failed to turn. While you can’t completely prevent an offbreak from turning, you can increase its chances by adjusting the seam position, something Harmer did.

In the same over, Harmer achieved the pair of dream wickets for an offspinner. He had dismissed KL Rahul through the gate on the fourth evening; now he took Dhruv Jurel’s outside edge with movement and less spin than anticipated.

Rishabh Pant frequently faces criticism for being too adventurous, but this performance offered a different perspective. Facing a very slow offbreak from Harmer, Pant became an easy target the moment he chose to play a forward defensive shot. The additional bounce resulted in a catch taken by Markram at slip, who was now quickly approaching the world record formost catches taken in a match.

Sai Sudharsan relished another missed catch as he andRavindra JadejaIndia was introduced to tea. Sai Sudharsan’s fortune faded in the first over following the break as Harmer took a break after bowling throughout the entire first session. He defended a half-volley from Senuram Muthusamy. It didn’t turn, and Markram made another catch.

Having had sufficient rest, Harmer returned from the opposite end, which had previously been yielding him wickets, and dismissed Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy in quick succession. With a softer ball, he began bowling faster and managed to get the edge from Washington with a 90kmph offbreak. Markram took a sharp catch, surpassing Ajinkya Rahane’s world record of eight catches in a match.

Right-handed batsmen were always expected to face greater challenges with three wickets in hand: bowled through the gate, outside edge, and bat-pad catches. Reddy brought on the glove during the reverse sweep to secure Harmer his best match figures, giving himThe top-performing bowler from South Africa in Indiaand the most productive South African bowler following 14 Tests.

Jadeja was the only Indian batsman who effectively swept the ball from the right length, causing difficulties for other batters. He managed to score a consolation half-century, read the situation carefully, and held back his celebration, eventually getting out when attempting to run out Keshav Maharaj.

The concluding moment, appropriately, was claimed by Jansen. He accumulated rapid runs while India had the upper hand in South Africa’s first-innings scoring, when it appeared no one could overpower the bowling. His extended strikes, which enabled this, also resulted in the dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first innings, India’s sole half-century scorer. Later, he delivered bouncers when the pitch remained flat, securing more wickets with bouncers than any other player has in an innings in India.

By the time South Africa bowled for the second time, the pitch provided steady spin and didn’t require Jansen to make an extraordinary effort. Then again, why refuse us when you can casually complete an unbelievable catch to finish the game and the series? Don’t forget.