Simon Harmer Stuns KL Rahul With a Brilliant Delivery: South Africa’s off-spinner Simon Harmer continues to shine in the ongoing two-match Test series against India. On Day 4 of the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, he produced a dream delivery to dismiss opener KL Rahul, the kind any off-spinner would be proud of.
The Proteas declared their second innings at 260 for 5, taking their lead to a massive 548 runs. Tristan Stubbs played a solid knock of 94 off 180 balls, hitting nine fours and one six. Ravindra Jadeja picked up four wickets, while Washington Sundar took one. None of the other bowlers managed a breakthrough.
Harmer’s Magic Ball Sends KL Rahul Back
Harmer delivered the standout moment in the 10th over. He tossed the ball up outside off, tempting Rahul to come forward. The ball then turned sharply from the rough, beating the gap between bat and pad and crashing into the stumps.
KL Rahul tried playing across the line but left just enough room for the ball to sneak through. His forward stride and slightly closed bat face made the mistake even costlier. With this dismissal, India lost both openers early and found itself in deeper trouble.
India Trail After First-Innings Collapse
South Africa continued to dominate the second Test with a strong performance in all departments. Chasing a huge target of 549, India were 27 for 2 at the time of writing, with Sai Sudharsan on 2 and Kuldeep Yadav on 4.
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In their second innings, the Proteas reached 260 for 5 before declaring. Stubbs top-scored with 94, while Tony de Zorzi added 49. Wiaan Mulder remained unbeaten on 35, Ryan Rickelton chipped in with 35, and Aiden Markram scored 29.
Earlier in the match, South Africa posted 489 in their first innings. Senuran Muthusamy’s 109 and Marco Jansen’s 93 helped rescue the side after an early wobble. Kuldeep Yadav picked up four wickets.
India, led by Rishabh Pant, was bowled out for 201 in their first innings. Jansen ran through the lineup with six wickets, while Harmer supported him with three. Several middle-order batters threw their wickets away with poor shot selection.
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Fans Unhappy After Another Test Failure
After another disappointing outing in Test cricket, fans have been vocal about KL Rahul’s form. Many criticised him for not stepping up as a senior player, especially in tough conditions. Some questioned whether he still deserves a place in India’s Test XI, while others suggested he consider stepping away from the format to open up space for in-form players.
Check out the reactions of fans:
For someone like KL Rahul to average 35 after 67 tests doesn't sit right with me. Bro's a way better batsman than that number. pic.twitter.com/9xz2TEN1xq
— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) November 25, 2025
KL Rahul had an excellent run in 2025 so he had to neutralise it by ending the year on a poor note and thereby maintaining the average of 35.
Such a grounded human being 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/7weEvr7TVj
— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) November 25, 2025
KL Rahul career 😭
2014: Very talented. Future of India
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2025: Very talented. Future of India. pic.twitter.com/SFiD205zjl— 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿 (@ImYorker93) November 25, 2025
A country in which KL rahul is considered top cricketer to play for country can never be serious about its sports
— . (@finehaihum) November 24, 2025
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KL Rahul’s 100.0 version failed again.
This parchi has been averaging 35 and still playing Test cricket for India when we have better players waiting outside yet nobody says a word against him. 🤡 pic.twitter.com/DdGe1QeXTJ
— Rohan💫 (@rohann__45) November 25, 2025
https://twitter.com/sakshamgarg45/status/1993261370423627787?s=20
KL Rahul bowled out for 6 runs!
His Test average has now dropped below 36(67 matches || 118 Inngs || 35.86 Avg)#INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/8xX8OgE56W
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) November 25, 2025
KL Rahul career 😭
2014: Very talented. Future of India
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2025: Very talented. Future of India pic.twitter.com/9MkG5BFbkn— Gagan🇮🇳 (@1no_aalsi_) November 24, 2025
I'm sorry to say this, but KL Rahul will forever be below 40 average Test player.
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) November 25, 2025
• Technique God
• The man, the myth, the legendKL rahul 15.0 failed once again. Never expect KL Rahul to play for india in the month of November. pic.twitter.com/qfUZ0RgX7d
— 𝐻𝟣𝟩 (@rishabhhive) November 25, 2025
I have never seen KL Rahul perform in important situations and matches. pic.twitter.com/pEczJo2tZl
— 𝐉𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐞 (@jod_insane) November 25, 2025
KL Rahul to Lead India in ODI Series
KL Rahul’s Test duties for the tour are over, and he will now shift focus to the ODI series. The BCCI has announced him as India’s captain for the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting November 30 in Ranchi.
He will lead the side as regular skipper Shubman Gill is unavailable. KL Rahul already has experience leading India in limited-overs cricket. He has captained the ODI team 12 times so far, winning eight matches.
KL Rahul also led India during the ODI series in South Africa in December 2023, where the team won 2-1. With his return as captain, India will hope to bounce back after losing their latest ODI series to Australia.
As a batter, KL Rahul remains one of India’s most dependable players in the format. He has scored 3,092 runs in 88 ODIs at an average of 48.31, including seven centuries and 18 half-centuries.
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