Indian cricket commentators have expressed disgust after being told the Test team had been made to “grovel” on Tuesday.
There has been a wave of backlash against South African coach Shukri Conrad after he bluntly said his team’s decision to bat deep into Day 4 of the second Test was a tactic to make the host country “grovel” out in the field.
The Proteas have India tottering at 27-2 heading into the final day of play in Guwahati after setting the hosts a mammoth target of 549.
The tourists are closing in on the team’s first Test series win in India for 25 years — but Conrad’s comment has overshadowed the team’s dominant batting display.
South Africa declared on 260-5 in the final session with Tristan Stubbs leading the way with 94 runs.
World Test champions South Africa lead the two-match series 1-0 and even a draw would seal their first series victory in India since 2000.
The Proteas kept on batting despite the lead crossing 500 in the second session and coach Shukri Conrad said they wanted to make sure they ended India’s hopes of a series-levelling win.
“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,” Conrad told reporters.
“So far so good but we also know they’re not just going to roll over. We’re going to have to be at our very best tomorrow.”
The mention of the term “grovel” has many underlying implications and layers.
It was controversially used by cricket icon Tony Greig when he captained England in series against the West Indies in 1976.
The former Channel 9 commentator’s comment was widely interpreted to have racial undertones and caused outrage within the West Indies. The team responded to the comment by famously winning the series 3-0.
Greig eventually made a public apology.
Now there is pressure on Conrad to do the same thing.
Cricket commentator Anindya Dutta posted on X: “This is in such poor taste coming from the coach of a black cricketing nation.
“Tone deaf historically clearly.”
Sports journalist Gargi Raut wrote: “This is a huge misstep. Grovel carries a long history of deeply offensive, racial undertones.
“Maybe a slip of the tongue, but a costly one.”
Indian sports TV producer Samip Rajguru posted: “This series will be remembered forever for this statement from South African Coach Shukri Conrad on Team India on why did SA declared late”.
Indian social commentator Arindam Paul wrote: “Really hope this Indian team remembers what the South Africa coach said and give them back for the next 10 years on the field”.
The team has a long way to go to pull itself out of its current slump on home soil.
India suffered their fourth defeat in six home Tests in the series opener in Kolkata, after a humiliating 3-0 series loss to New Zealand last year, and they need to bat for three more sessions on Wednesday to avoid another loss.
India had been unbeaten in a home Test series for 12 years before being swept by the Black Caps.
The highest successful run chase in Test cricket was the West Indies’ 418 against Australia in 2003. India’s highest chase was 406 against the West Indies in 1976.
Sai Sudharsan (2) and nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav (4) were battling for survival when bad light ended play in the northeastern city, where the sun sets early.
South Africa pace spearhead Marco Jansen dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal with a short delivery outside the off stump to have him caught behind for 13.
Left-arm quick Jansen took his match tally to seven wickets after figures of 6-48 in India’s first innings, after also hitting 93 with the bat earlier in the game.
Off-spinner Simon Harmer bowled KL Rahul for six with a sharp, spinning delivery which turned through the gate.
India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja said the home team had their eyes set on surviving for a draw, despite needing to attempt the record run chase to salvage the series.
“The ball would spin and bounce more on day five — that is expected,” said Jadeja.
“But if we don’t give away a wicket in the first session then put pressure on the bowlers. It will be win-win for us if we bat out day five and save the Test.”
South Africa earlier resumed on 26-0 after bundling out India for 201 on day three to lead by 288 on the first innings.
They did not enforce the follow-on and decided to bat again to pile the misery on the hosts.
Opener Ryan Rickelton hit three fours in the first session before he fell to Jadeja while attempting another hit over cover but was caught for 35.
Jadeja bowled the other overnight batter, Aiden Markram, for 29, before fellow spinner Washington Sundar dismissed visiting captain Temba Bavuma for three.
Stubbs put on 101 runs for the fourth wicket with Tony de Zorzi, who was on 49 when Jadeja broke through.
The veteran trapped De Zorzi lbw to deny him his fifty, but Stubbs stood firm in a 180-ball stay peppered with nine fours and a six.
Stubbs was the last man out when he was bowled by Jadeja, who took 4-62, attempting to hit a second six of the over to bring up a hundred.
Bavuma immediately declared, leaving Wiaan Mulder unbeaten on 35. The Indian fielders looked tired during a South African innings that lasted for 78.3 overs, as disappointed home fans at a largely empty stadium waited for the agony to end.
— with AFP
