Harbhajan Singh vs Simon Harmer - comparing their stats after 14 Tests

South African off spinner Simon Harmer was sensational in the recently concluded two-match Test series in India. The 36-year-old was named Player of the Series for claiming 17 wickets at a superb average of 8.94. Harmer's effort went a long way in helping South Africa register their first Test series win in India since 2000.

The off spinner picked up 4-30 & 4-21 in the first Test played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. He walked away with the Player of the Match award as the Proteas outdid Team India by 30 runs on a rank turner. In the second Test in Guwahati, he picked up 3-64 in the first innings and followed it up with brilliant figures of 6-37.

Harmer has featured in 14 Test matches so far. Following his outstanding performance in India, we compare his stats with those of former India off spinner Harbhajan Singh after the latter had also played 14 Test matches.

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Harbhajan Singh vs Simon Harmer - Who has more wickets and a better average after 14 Tests?

In 14 Tests, Harmer has picked up 69 wickets at an average of 21.79. The 36-year-old has 27 scalps in four Tests against India, averaging 15.03. Further, he has 13 wickets in two Tests against Pakistan at an average of 21.30. In two Tests against West Indies, he has 12 wickets at an average of 21.75 and 16 scalps in four Tests against Bangladesh at an average of 23.62.

After 14 Tests, Harbhajan had picked up 62 wickets at an average of 26.72. He had 34 wickets in four Tests against Australia at an average of 20.02 and 13 wickets in three Tests against Zimbabwe, averaging 26.07. Further, the 'Turbanator' had six wickets in three Tests against New Zealand, averaging 44.66.

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Harbhajan Singh vs Simon Harmer - Who has more five-fers after 14 Tests?

In 14 Tests, Harmer has picked up two five-wicket hauls. The Proteas spinner's best innings figures of 6-37 came against India in Guwahati in November 2025. He also claimed 6-50 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in October 2025 and 4-51 in Lahore during the same Test series.

Player	Wickets	Average	BBI	BBM	5w	10w
Simon Harmer	69	21.79	6-37	9-101	2	0
Harbhajan Singh	62	26.72	8-84	15-217	4	2

(Harbhajan Singh vs Simon Harmer - Bowling stats comparison after 14 Tests)

After 14 Tests, Harbhajan had four five-fers and two 10-wicket match hauls to his name. All his four five-fers and his two 10-wicket match hauls came in the iconic 2001 home series against Australia. Harbhajan claimed 7-123 & 6-73 in Eden Gardens and 7-133 & 8-84 in Chennai.

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Harbhajan Singh vs Simon Harmer - Who has a better record in wins after 14 Tests?

Harmer has featured in seven Tests that South Africa have won. In winning causes, he has picked up exactly 50 wickets at an average of 14.70, with two five-wicket hauls. In four Tests that the Proteas have lost, he has claimed 16 wickets, averaging 29.93. Harmer has three wickets in three drawn Tests, averaging 96.66.

Player	Matches	Wickets	Average	BBI	BBM	5w	10w
Simon Harmer	7	50	14.70	6-37	9-101	2	0
Harbhajan Singh	5	38	18.26	8-84	15-217	4	2

(Harbhajan vs Harmer - Bowling stats comparison in wins after 14 Tests)

Of his first 14 Tests, Harbhajan was part of five matches that India won. In winning causes, he had 38 wickets at an average of 18.26, with four five-fers and two 10-wicket match hauls. In seven Tests that India had lost, he had claimed 19 wickets at an average of 37. Harbhajan had also picked up five wickets in two drawn Tests.

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Harbhajan Singh vs Simon Harmer - Who has a better away record after 14 Tests?

In 10 away Tests so far, Harmer has claimed 44 wickets at an impressive average of 23.77, with two five-fers. In four home Tests, the 36-year-old has managed 25 wickets at an average of 18.32.

Player	Matches	Wickets	Average	BBI	BBM	5w	10w
Simon Harmer	10	44	23.77	6-37	9-101	2	0
Harbhajan Singh	6	17	35.70	4-71	5-96	0	0

(Harbhajan vs Harmer - Away bowling stats comparison after 14 Tests)

Of his first 14 Tests, Harbhajan played six in away conditions. In away Tests, he had 17 scalps at an average of 35.70, with a best of 4-71. In eight home Tests, the Indian off spinner had 45 wickets at an average of 23.33, with four five-fers and two 10-wicket match hauls.