'Disrespectful…stay humble': Anil Kumble, Cheteshwar Pujara, Parthiv Patel destroy Shukri Conrad over ‘grovel’ remark

South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad created a major controversy after saying he wanted to make India “grovel” on Day 4 (Tuesday, November 25) of the second Test in Guwahati. Several former Indian cricketers, including Anil Kumble, Cheteshwar Pujara, Parthiv Patel, and Aakash Chopra, slammed the coach.

South Africa’s decision to continue batting after lunch raised eyebrows. Notably, the surface in Guwahati had shown little deterioration. The visitors had a 508-run lead at the lunch break. However, they chose to continue batting until Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Tristan Stubbs, who was the top scorer with 94 runs.

Shukri Conrad said that South Africa wanted to bat long in the second innings deliberately. He said that they wanted India to spend long hours in the field and feel the physical and mental strain. His remark that they wanted to make India “grovel” drew attention.

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South African Coach Shukri Conrad Does Not Know the Weightage - Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel, speaking on Star Sports on Wednesday, said that the South Africa coach Shukri Conrad should have known the weight and history attached to the term “grovel.” Patel stated that the remark was clearly disrespectful and added that Conrad might be compelled to apologize on the final day.

“Maybe the South African coach does not know the weightage of the word. But I don’t think so. There was a smirk on his face when he said it. There is no doubt that it was disrespectful,” Patel said.

"As the Indian team all you do is tell them that ‘You’ve come to this situation by playing well. Well done to you. But there was no need to use such words’. I think through the day we will see an apology from Conrad. I don’t think such things are needed on the cricketing field. You can fight, play hard, but such things are not needed," he added.

South Africa Have Most Likely Won the Series - Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble said that Shukri Conrad’s language is unacceptable. He emphasized that teams in control should show humility rather than resort to provocative statements.

“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,” Kumble said.

“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 word became infamous in 1976 when England captain Tony Greig said that he wanted to make the West Indies “grovel”, a comment condemned and seen as deeply offensive. The West Indies dominated and secured the five-match series 3-0.

I Don’t Think That Statement Will Go Down Well - Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara said that the comment would sting the Indian dressing room but urged the players to channel their emotion into their cricket. He said the ideal response would be to bat with discipline, put together partnerships, and fight through all three sessions.

“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,” Pujara said.

“But the best way to answer it is to fight it out—bat three sessions, build partnerships. We’re in this position because we haven’t played good cricket, and the response has to come with the bat, not through words.”

Also read: Simon Harmer bamboozles KL Rahul with an absolute ripper on Day 4 of Guwahati Test