South African Coach Ignites Firestorm with Controversial Comments
South Africa men's Test coach Shukri Conrad has found himself at the centre of a racial controversy after using the inflammatory term "grovel" to describe his team's approach against India in the ongoing Test match. The comments came as the Proteas tightened their grip on the second Test in Guwahati, leaving India facing a mammoth chase of 549 runs for victory.
Dominant Proteas Position Themselves for Historic Series Win
South Africa enters Day 5 in an overwhelmingly dominant position, with India struggling at 2-27 in their second innings. The visitors had earlier declared their second innings at 5-250, setting an imposing target that appears increasingly out of reach for the home side. Fresh off their World Test Championship triumph, the Proteas already lead the two-match series 1-0 and need only a draw to secure their first series victory on Indian soil since 2000.
The decision to bat on into the final session on Day 4 proved particularly telling, with South Africa extending their lead beyond 500 runs at tea before continuing to pile on the pressure. Tristan Stubbs headlined the innings with 94 runs off 180 deliveries, falling just short of a century but effectively crushing Indian hopes of a miraculous victory.
Controversial Language Echoes Painful Historical Context
When questioned about the tactical decision to keep India in the field, Conrad's choice of words immediately raised eyebrows among cricket historians and commentators. "We wanted them to really grovel — bat them completely out the game and then say to them, 'Well, come and survive on the last day and an hour this evening'," the coach stated after the day's play.
The term "grovel" carries significant racial baggage in cricket circles, most notoriously associated with former England captain Tony Greig's controversial comments ahead of the 1976 series against West Indies. Greig, who was also South African-born, had declared his intention to make the dominant West Indies team "grovel," a remark that caused widespread outrage and for which he was later forced to apologise publicly.
Nearly 50 years later, Conrad's use of the same terminology has drawn immediate criticism from cricket commentators and journalists. Cricket reporter Gargi Raut described the comment as "a huge misstep," noting that "grovel carries a long history of deeply offensive, racial undertones."
Vikrant Gupta, managing editor at Indian publication Aaj Tak, expressed particular disappointment given South Africa's history with apartheid. "South Africa, the land of Nelson Mandela and also Mahatma Gandhi, suffered so much due to apartheid," Gupta remarked. "A South African should be the last one to say: 'We wanted them (India) to grovel'. Maybe Mr Conrad didn't mean the racial undertone. Hope so."
India's Struggles Continue as Series Hangs in Balance
India's batting woes continued into their second innings, losing both openers cheaply. Yashasvi Jaiswal was caught behind for 13 while Lokesh Rahul was bowled for 6, leaving the home team in early trouble. At stumps, Sai Sudharsan (2 not out) and nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav (4 not out) remained at the crease, facing the daunting task of surviving the entire fifth day to salvage a draw.
The visitors' dominance built upon their strong first innings performance, where they posted 489 before bowling India out for 201. Marco Jansen's impressive 6-48 proved instrumental in securing a substantial 314-run first innings lead for South Africa.
On Day 4, South Africa started steadily at 0-26 before Ravindra Jadeja's 4-62 in 28.3 overs provided some respite for the toiling Indian attack. The partnership between Tony De Zorzi (49 off 68 balls) and Stubbs yielded 101 runs, effectively putting the game beyond India's reach.
Despite the commanding position, Stubbs expressed some personal disappointment at missing his century. "But they are two down now, so we will take that," he said, adding that "if we bowl in the right areas, there's enough in this wicket" to force a victory on the final day.
As the cricketing world awaits Day 5's action, the focus has shifted as much to Conrad's controversial remarks as to the on-field contest, with many calling for the South African coach to issue a public apology similar to Greig's nearly five decades earlier.
