South Africa coach’s ‘grovel’ remark sparks outrage; ex-cricketers’ call for humility

Published on Authored by C to I News Desk

On Wednesday, November 26, South Africa wrapped up the Test series against hosts India with a memorable 2-0 clean sweep. While the Proteas played good cricket and performed better than the home side in all departs — batting, bowling and fielding — it was South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad’s comment that has left a bad taste.

Shukri Conrad is South Africa's head coach
South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad. Photo courtesy: www.instagram.com/shukriconrad

Conrad stirred a major controversy after using the word “grovel” while describing his team’s plan against India on Day 4 of the second Test in Guwahati.

With South Africa setting India a target of over 500 runs, Conrad said he wanted the Indian team to “really grovel”, a comment that immediately drew strong reactions from former cricketers and fans.

For those who are unaware, the phrase carries a historical and racial baggage. It was famously — and rather controversially — used by former England captain Tony Greig in 1976 while referring to the West Indies team, sparking widespread anger and becoming a lasting reminder of racial insensitivity in cricket.

During the press conference on Tuesday, November 25, Conrad had said, “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 of the game and then say to them well, come and survive on the last day and an hour this evening.”

Reacting sharply to it, ex-India captain Anil Kumble expressed disappointment that such language was used again. “There’s history attached to this. Fifty years ago, an England captain used the same phrase against the great West Indies side, and we all know what followed,” the former India head coach said.

Kumble, who has 619 Test match wickets, added that he expected South Africa to remain respectful, especially when they were close to a historic series win in India.

“South Africa have most likely won the series, but when you’re on top, your choice of words matters. Humility is most important at such times. I certainly didn’t expect this from the coach or the support staff. When you’re winning, the first thing is to stay humble, not say something like this at a press conference,” the ace spinner said.

India batter Cheteshwar Pujara also reacted ahead of Day 5, saying the comment would definitely affect the dressing room. “It does fire up the team, but it will hurt as well. I don’t think that statement will go down well in the dressing room,” he said.

Former cricket and pundit Aakash Chopra tweeted: “I hope everyone in the Indian dressing room has been made to understand what exactly it means and a little bit of history lesson on when it was last used by someone in Cricket. And what happened next.”

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