IND vs SA: South Africa coach's 'grovel' remark against India sparks shockwaves
South Africa is on a spree of clinching historic milestones. Under the leadership of Temba Bavuma and the guidance of Shukri Conrad, the Proteas lifted the WTC Final Championship against Australia earlier this year. Now, the team has claimed its first-ever series win in India since 2000. While the special feat gives South Africa every reason to proudly celebrate their achievement, head coach Shukri Conrad seems to have done so a bit too rashly. The hosts were tested thoroughly across Kolkata and Guwahati as the Proteas dominated the two-match IND vs SA Test series. However, saying that the visitors wanted India to “grovel” is controversial despite the one-sided contest.
Shukri Conrad draws criticism for his ‘grovel’ remark during IND vs SA Test
South Africa’s head coach, Shukri Conrad, ignited fresh controversy on the eve of Day 5 of the second and final IND vs SA Test. The head coach issued a sharp, provocative comment aimed at the hosts while defending his daring declaration in Guwahati. With the home side already struggling, his words intensified the atmosphere further, effectively throwing down a gauntlet to an Indian team tasked with chasing an unattainable 522 runs with only eight wickets in hand.
Conrad delivered the statement during his Tuesday media interaction after stumps on Day 4 of the Guwahati Test, when questions arose about the timing of South Africa’s declaration. He admitted that the intention was to make India “grovel” by setting a towering target of 549, a figure the faltering hosts are now attempting to overhaul in a bid to stave off defeat in the second Test and avoid a looming series sweep.
He later stressed that he had merely “borrowed a phrase” from the notorious remark of Tony Greig in 1976, made before England’s 0-3 thrashing at the hands of Clive Lloyd’s West Indies. The coach also elaborated on why South Africa continued batting for close to 80 overs, choosing to extend their innings deep into the second session despite surpassing a 500-run lead.
"We wanted India to spend as much time on their feet out in the field. We wanted them to really grovel, to steal a phrase, bat them completely out the game and then say to them well come and survive on the last day and an hour this evening," Conrad said.
The word ‘grovel’ carries an especially dark shade in cricketing folklore due to its association with the 1976 series. As the West Indies travelled to England as strong favourites, Tony Greig, then England captain, lashed out at the local media for hyping the visitors and used the term in a way that implied submissiveness.
Specifically, ‘grovel’ is explained as lowering oneself physically in an expression of submission or abasement, a meaning that deeply offended Lloyd’s West Indies side. Motivated by what they viewed as a personal slight, the Caribbean team battered England 3-0, and within months, Greig lost the captaincy amid his move to Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket.
Conrad’s awareness of this history was evident, as he immediately qualified his use of “grovel” with the phrase “to steal a phrase” while laying out South Africa’s reasoning for delaying their declaration until 40 minutes into the final session of Day 4 of the Guwahati Test. What he likely did not anticipate was the backlash that erupted across India once his remark surfaced. From South Africa’s standpoint, prolonging India’s time in the field without compromising their control of the match had clear strategic merit, since fatigue and stress often lead to lapses in judgment. Yet the moment he invoked the charged word “grovel,” he waded directly into a storm.
The furore surrounding Conrad’s declaration that “We wanted them to really grovel” has only grown louder. Indian veterans Anil Kumble and Cheteshwar Pujara criticised the comment. Meanwhile, Conrad's compatriot, Dale Steyn distanced himself from the coach’s stance during Tuesday’s post-day press briefing.
“There are certain things you just don’t say. There’s stigma attached to it. It just wasn’t necessary. South Africa were in such a dominant position, saying nothing is enough. I’m just not on that boat," Steyn said. "You just don’t use words like that. Toss it. You don’t have to say it. That’s disappointing. Sorry, Shukri, but that’s disappointing," he added.
