Last Updated on 5 months ago by Charbel Coorey

Shukri Conrad has caused a stir after he said South Africa wanted India to “grovel” during the second Test at Guwahati.

The Proteas batted on until midway through the final session despite having a lead of 500+ at the lunch break. The coach said the reason was to keep India out there in the field in what has been a very difficult Test for the hosts.

“We wanted to make India grovel” – Shukri Conrad on why South Africa batted on

South Africa raised eyebrows by opting to bat on as long as they did. Fans and pundits assumed it was to give Tristan Stubbs the opportunity to reach a Test hundred, especially as he went hard after the break and the Proteas declared as soon as he was dismissed for 94.

However, Shukri said South Africa wanted a newish ball for the morning and to tire India further.

“We obviously looked at how best we were going to use the new ball, because in the morning we still wanted a newish, hardish ball,” Conrad said in the press conference, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “What we felt is that when the shadows come across the wicket in the evening, there’s something in it for the quick bowlers, so we didn’t want to declare too early and not be able to use that.

“And then, obviously, we wanted the Indians 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 the game, and then say to them ‘Come and survive on the last day and an hour this evening.’ So, so far so good, but we also know that they’re not just going to roll over, we’re going to have to be at our very best in the morning.”

“Grovel” comment causes a stir on social media

“Grovel” was a term infamously used by the late Tony Greig in 1976. The then-England captain said he wanted to make the West Indies grovel after the team from the Caribbean were beaten 5-1 in Australia in the previous summer.

“I’m not really sure they’re as good as everyone thinks,” he said on the BBC’s Sportsnight programme. “These guys, if they get on top they are magnificent cricketers. But if they’re down, they grovel, and I intend, with the help of Closey [Brian Close] and a few others, to make them grovel.”

“The word ‘grovel’ is one guaranteed to raise the blood pressure of any black man,” said West Indies captain Clive Lloyd. “The fact they were used by a white South African made it even worse. We were angry and West Indians everywhere were angry. We resolved to show him and everyone else that the days for grovelling were over.”

Nearly 50 years on, the term has created a stir once again. “Imagine if an Indian or a gora coach has used that grovel word after beating Sa in Sa. Life goes around in circles, remember Shukri Conrad. Congrats on your monumental victory, you totally outplayed us, but remember this comment will come back to bite you in the future,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).

Here are some of the reactions.

After declaring with a lead of 548, South Africa picked up two wickets before the close of play on day four. Marco Jansen dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal with the opener again out trying to cut too close to his body. Simon Harmer then dismissed KL Rahul with a dream delivery.

India closed on 27/2 still needing another 522 for the most improbable of victories. Whether South Africa can pick up the eight wickets required is the main topic of the day. 12 World Test Championship points are at stake should they get the win.

Regardless, South Africa are assured of a first Test series win in India since 2000.