Legendary bowlers Anil Kumble and Dale Steyn have expressed disappointment at South Africa coach Shukri Conrad’s controversial comments regarding his team’s dominance in India. Both Kumble and Steyn agreed that there was no place for a word like “grovel” in a media interaction, given its historic undertones and the sensitivities attached to it.
Shukri Conrad stirred controversy after Day 4 of the second Test in Guwahati when he said his team wanted India “to really grovel” by setting a huge target and forcing them to bat out the final innings. The remark was more than post-match bravado; it struck a nerve because the word carries heavy historic baggage within cricket, particularly in the context of racial and colonial tensions.
That baggage dates back to 1976, when Tony Greig—then captain of the England cricket team—used the same word before a Test series in England against the West Indies. Greig declared he intended “to make them grovel”, a statement widely viewed as racially insensitive. The West Indies players and fans responded with outrage—on the field, in the stands and across the Caribbean diaspora—vowing to assert their pride rather than “grovel”.
Although Conrad said he was “stealing a phrase”, many on social media felt the South African coach had no need to use the word at all, especially when his team was performing strongly in India.
HUMILITY IS IMPORTANT: KUMBLE
Reflecting the sentiments of many, Anil Kumble said he did not expect such language from South Africa, a team long regarded as one of the most disciplined travellers.
“I think when you are on top, the choice of words is extremely important. I think humility when you are on top is the most important. I certainly didn’t expect this from South Africa, especially from the support staff or the coach. When you are actually winning, the first thing is to stay humble. The last thing you can do is to have this kind of choice of words, especially in a press conference,” Kumble told JioStar on Wednesday.
“There is history as well in cricket. One of the former captains from England had said this 50 years ago and against the mighty West Indies. And then we all saw what happened in that series. This series, South Africa will most likely win it,” he added.
‘SORRY SHUKRI, IT’S DISAPPOINTING’
Dale Steyn echoed Kumble’s thoughts, saying that regardless of the difference in context between Conrad’s usage of the word and Tony Greig’s in the past, the South African coach should have avoided it altogether.
“I am not on that boat. I didn’t like that. I almost don’t want to make a comment about it,” Steyn said.
“I am not on that boat. There are certain things that you just don’t say. There’s stigma attached to it. I don’t think it was necessary. Saying nothing is enough when you are dominating. It’s a little bit disappointing, to be honest. Maybe his tone was not as harsh as it was in the past by Tony Greig. But regardless of the situation, you don’t use it. Toss it.
“Sorry Shukri, but that’s disappointing.”
South Africa have dominated India in the two-Test series, and by the end of Day 4 of the second Test in Guwahati, the Proteas were closing in on a historic 2–0 win.
After hammering India by 30 runs on a spin-friendly pitch in Kolkata, South Africa prevailed in a battle of attrition in Guwahati, which produced a typical subcontinent surface—good for batting over the first two days before deteriorating over the final two.
South Africa piled on 489 in the first innings before bowling India out for 201, with the Indian batters paying the price for their recklessness and conceding a 288-run lead.
The visitors chose not to enforce the follow-on and made India’s bowlers toil on Day 4. Riding on Tristan Stubbs’ 94, South Africa posted 260 for 5 before declaring in the final session. They set India a target of 549, asking the hosts to attempt a record-breaking chase to save the series.
South Africa then had India reeling at 130 for 7 in the second session on Day 5 as they closed in on a 2–0 sweep.
– Ends
Published By:
Akshay Ramesh
Published On:
Nov 26, 2025
