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New Delhi: South Africa coach Shukri Conrad hopes spinners will gradually emerge from a country known for being fast-bowling oriented after their 30-run win over India in the first Test in Kolkata.
Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram scripted their first test win in India as the hosts were bowled out for 93 in chase of 124 on the third day at Eden Gardens.
South Africa came to India after forcing a 1-1 draw in Pakistan and now have taken a 1-0 lead in a tw0-match series.
"We are thrilled that we can come here to the subcontinent with a quality pack of spinners. We were always found wanting when we came to the subcontinent. I think it was a mindset change as well, that you've got to start showing your belief in spin bowlers," Conrad said after their win.
"I think it will do wonders for our game back home as well because youngsters can now see there's a line of sight that we're keen on spinners as well. It's not only a fast bowling country.”
Last June, South Africa beat Australia to win the World Test Championship and Conrad said their win at Eden stands alongside that triumph at Lord’s.
"The dark experiences teams have had coming here. The psyche now is such that whilst we might not have the ability that a lot of teams have, we haven't untapped that ability yet. What we lack in that, we certainly make up in the ability to play as a unit," he added.
"I said it again a few days ago, we won a World Test Championship final earlier in the year against Australia at Lord's. This was right up there for us.
"We never give up. I'm so proud of that group down there. In terms of the belief that they've got and how they pull together as a unit. It will do wonders for our psyche. It will do wonders for us going forward."
The second Test begins on November 22 in Guwahati and Conrad said their job is only half done as they would try to win the series, having won in India for the first time in 2000
"We won a Test match in Pakistan. We've now won a Test match here. But the job's far from done. You don't come to a country to win a Test match. You, obviously, want to win the series," he said.
