Simon Harmer vs Anil Kumble - comparing their stats after 14 Tests

South African off spinner Simon Harmer came up with brilliant performances in the recently concluded two-match Test series in India. He was named Player of the Series for picking up 17 scalps in four innings at an exceptional average of 8.94. Thanks to his efforts, the Proteas ended up beating India 2-0 in the two-match series and registered their first Test series triumph in India since 2000.

Harmer registered figures of 4-30 & 4-21 in the first Test at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. India's decision to prepare a rank turner backfired miserably as the Test ended in under three days. The South African spinner continued his great form in the second Test in Guwahati as well. He picked up a three-fer in the first innings and followed it up with 6-37 in the second essay.

Harmer has played 14 Tests so far. Following his heroics in India, we compare his stats with those of Indian spin legend Anil Kumble after the latter had also played 14 Test matches.

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

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

After 14 Tests, Kumble had 77 wickets to his name at an average of 23.50. Of his wickets, 24 came in four Tests against England at an average of 24.41. He had also claimed 24 scalps in four Tests against Sri Lanka at an average of 20.95. Further, in four Tests against South Africa, he had 18 wickets at an average of 25.94 and 11 scalps in two Tests against Zimbabwe, averaging 23.09.

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Simon Harmer vs Anil Kumble - Who has more five-fers after 14 Tests?

In 14 Tests, Harmer claimed two five-wicket hauls. The South African spinner's best innings figures of 6-37 were registered against India in Guwahati in November 2025. The 36-year-old also picked up 6-50 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in October 2025 and 4-51 in Lahore in the same Test series.

Player	Wickets	Average	BBI	BBM	5w	10w
Simon Harmer	69	21.79	6-37	9-101	2	0
Anil Kumble	77	23.50	7-59	11-128	5	1

(Harmer vs Kumble - Bowling stats comparison after 14 Tests)

After 14 Tests, Kumble had five five-fers and one 10-wicket match haul to his credit. His best innings figures of 7-59 came against Sri Lanka in Lucknow in January 1994. He also claimed 6-53 against South Africa in Johannesburg in November 1992 and 6-64 against England in Chennai in February 1993.

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Simon Harmer vs Anil Kumble - Who has a better record in wins after 14 Tests?

Harmer has been part of seven Tests that the Proteas have won. In winning causes, he has claimed 50 wickets at an average of 14.70, with two five-fers. In four Tests that South Africa have lost, he has claimed 16 wickets at an average of 29.93. Harmer has three scalps 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
Anil Kumble	6	48	18.25	7-59	11-128	4	1

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

Of his first 14 Tests, Kumble featured in six that India won. In winning causes, he claimed 48 wickets at an average of 18.25, with four five-fers and one 10-wicket match haul. He claimed three wickets in one Test that India lost and 26 in seven Tests that ended in a draw.

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Simon Harmer vs Anil Kumble - Who has a better away record after 14 Tests?

In 10 away Tests, Harmer has picked up 44 wickets at an average of 23.77. The two five-fers he has claimed so far have come in away Tests. In four home Tests, the Proteas spinner has picked up 25 wickets, averaging 18.32.

Player	Matches	Wickets	Average	BBI	BBM	5w	10w
Simon Harmer	10	44	23.77	6-37	9-101	2	0
Anil Kumble	9	37	29.89	6-53	8-113	2	0

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

Of his first 14 Tests, Kumble played nine away from home. In away Tests, he had claimed 37 wickets, averaging 29.89, with two five-fers. In five home Tests, Kumble had 40 scalps at an average of 17.60, with three five-fers and one ten-wicket haul.