"We wanted them to really grovel": Shukri Conrad reveals Pakistan's role in South Africa decimating India in Tests

South Africa National Cricket Team head coach Shukri Conrad is over the moon, as his team is only eight wickets away from scripting history on Indian soil. The Proteas side is on the verge of winning their first Test series in India after 15 years.

South Africa’s only Test series victory in India was back in 1999/2000 when they had won both Tests and completed a memorable 2-0 clean sweep on Indian soil. Now, Temba Bavuma and his team are ready to enter the record books by winning their second Test series in India.

South Africa just eight wickets away from a historic Test series win in India

Defending the massive target of 549 runs, the Proteas side have already removed the Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul cheaply at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Day 4. Now, they just need eight wickets to script history by winning the second and final Test against India.

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The Indian cricket team still needs 522 runs to level the two-match Test series against South Africa, and that is now out of their reach on the final day. However, they can fight for the draw, but the way they are batting, that also seems impossible, and the Proteas camp already considered them winners.

The touring side has already won the first Test against India by 30 runs at the Eden Gardens, and they would love to lift the Freedom Trophy as soon as possible when they take the field on Day 5. After the end of the play on Day 4, Shukri Conrad said that his team has put India under pressure and that the series looks all but secured for them.

We wanted India to really grovel: Shukri Conrad

The South African head coach also hailed his spinners, especially Simon Harmer, calling them one of the best spin attacks in the world. The coach also gave credit to the Proteas team’s preparation for their strong performance in the ongoing two-match Test series in India.

Shukri Conrad at the post-day press conference in Guwahati (as quoted by RevSportz): “We wanted them (India) to really grovel. I like to think that the series is secured. The prep has been really good. We have got quality spinners who can be among the best in the world.”

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Conrad also mentioned that South Africa’s dominant eight-wicket win over Pakistan in the second Test in Rawalpindi boosted the team’s confidence. Even the Proteas coach felt that his players are now better prepared to handle subcontinent conditions.

Shukri Conrad credits the Pakistan tour for Proteas dominance in India

He signed off by saying, “The win in the second Test in Pakistan gave us a lot more confidence. I think we might be just a bit better equipped in these conditions.”

Notably, before the India tour, the South African team had leveled the Test series in Pakistan. They set the tone with a strong first-innings total of 404, thanks to Senuran Muthusamy’s unbeaten 89, Tristan Stubbs’ 76, and a quick 71 from Kagiso Rabada.

However, Pakistan fought back with 333, but Keshav Maharaj ran through their lineup, taking seven wickets for 102. In the second innings, South Africa chased the target easily to begin their defense of the World Test Championship title with the stunning victory in Rawalpindi.