Steyn Lauds South Africa’s Unity and Resilience in Historic 2-0 Triumph Over India

South Africa completed a historic 2-0 Test series whitewash over India on Wednesday, crushing the hosts by 408 runs in the second Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium to secure their first series victory on Indian soil in 25 years. Off-spinner Simon Harmer claimed 6-37 as India was bowled out for 140 while chasing an improbable 549, capping a dominant performance by the Proteas that ended India’s proud decade-long unbeaten home Test series record.

Former South African pace legend Dale Steyn hailed the triumph as “monumental,” emphasizing the unique pressure of playing in India. “Cricket in India isn’t just about competing against eleven players; it’s facing an entire cricket-mad nation,” Steyn told JioStar. He praised Temba Bavuma’s leadership and the team’s collective effort, noting that every player contributed significantly with bat, ball, and in the field, with wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne particularly outstanding.

Steyn pointed to several decisive factors in South Africa’s success: their spinners consistently outbowled India’s star-studded attack through clever variations in pace and line, while the Proteas batsmen attacked the Indian tweakers with confidence. He acknowledged the role of fortune—such as winning key tosses—and the absence of Shubman Gill due to injury but stressed that superior execution and adaptability, especially Marco Jansen’s mastery of reverse swing, proved the difference on challenging Indian pitches.

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The result marks only the fourth instance of India losing a home Test series in the last twelve years and the first time since Australia’s 2004 triumph that a visiting side has swept a multi-Test series in India. For South Africa, last victorious here under Hansie Cronje in 2000, the achievement underscores their emergence as a formidable all-format force and delivers a significant statement ahead of the upcoming World Test Championship cycle.

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