South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad has landed in the middle of a heated controversy. His comment, “we wanted India to really grovel,” upset many Indian fans, who felt he crossed a moral line. The remark came after Day 4 of the second Test between India and South Africa in Guwahati.

At that stage, India stood at 27/2. They still needed 522 more runs to draw the two-match series. South Africa, therefore, held full control and were close to securing only their second Test series win in India.

Why South Africa batted longer

Conrad used the word “grovel” when he explained why South Africa continued batting deep into Day 4. They stretched their innings well past the second session, even after building a commanding 500-plus lead. Eventually, they declared at 260/5 in the third session. Consequently, India received a target of 549.

South African bowlers delivered only 15.5 overs before bad light stopped play. Many critics argued that South Africa should have declared earlier to maximise their bowling time. Conrad disagreed and offered a detailed explanation.

He said, “There were a few factors. We obviously look at how best we are going to use the new ball so that in the morning we still have a newish, hardish ball. We felt that when the shadows come across the wicket in the evening, there is something in it for the quick bowlers. So we did not want to declare too early and lose that advantage. And of course we wanted India to spend as much time as possible on their feet in the field.”

Then he added the line that triggered the controversy, “We wanted them (India) 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.”

Reference to a painful cricket history

Conrad’s comment revived an old and sensitive chapter in cricket.

Although “grovel” is not inherently a racist word, it carries historical baggage. In 1976, South African–born England captain Tony Greig used the phrase “to make them grovel” before a Test series against the West Indies.

The remark deeply offended West Indies players, whose nations had experienced racism and British colonial rule. Their captain Clive Lloyd strongly condemned the comment. He later said, “The word ‘grovel’ is one guaranteed to raise the blood pressure of any black man.”
The West Indies went on to defeat England 3-0 in the five-Test series.