Bengaluru, Dec 1 (UNI) Sunil Gavaskar, one of India’s cricketing icons, weighed in on the recent controversy surrounding South Africa coach Shukri Conrad’s comment that he wanted India to “grovel” during the second Test in Guwahati, urging the coach to be mindful of the rich cricketing history shared by the two nations.
Conrad had stirred a debate after Day 4 in Guwahati Test, saying, “We didn’t want to declare too early… obviously we wanted India 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 of the game, and then say to them, ‘Well, come and survive on the last day and an hour this evening.”
The phrase “to steal a phrase” shows Conrad knew he was using a provocative term, which implies he was aware of its impact, which this made it even more controversial. Adding to the sensitivity, Conrad used the racially-loaded word “grovel,” a term infamously used by former England captain Tony Greig in the 1970s to describe the West Indies, giving the remark a historical sting.
While Gavaskar admitted the word “grovel” was ill-chosen, he dismissed the need for an apology. Speaking to a sports channel, he said, “In the heat of the moment, you can get carried away. Given the strong connection between Indian and South African cricket over the last 30 years, he can simply clarify that he got a bit carried away.”
The cricketing stalwart also highlighted the deep Indian involvement in South African cricket today, particularly through the SA20 league. “When you consider the current landscape of South African cricket, especially the SA20, five out of the six franchises are Indian-owned. These owners are supporting South African players — not just the international stars, but the fringe players as well — giving them opportunities to build strong careers,” Gavaskar said.
Looking back, Gavaskar recalled South Africa’s re-entry into international cricket after decades of isolation. “It was the Indian Cricket Board that proposed South Africa’s readmission, and their first international match on return was played in India. Indian and South African cricket have shared a positive, collaborative relationship for decades,” he added.
Not everyone, however, agreed with Conrad’s approach. South African fast-bowling legend Dale Steyn distanced himself from the remark, saying, “I’m not on that boat. There are certain things you just don’t say. South Africa were in such a dominant position — saying nothing is enough. It just wasn’t necessary.”
As the debate unfolds, Gavaskar’s words serve as a reminder that beyond competition, cricket has long been a bridge connecting nations, careers, and communities — a bond that deserves respect even in the heat of a Test match.
Gavaskar flags SA coach’s ‘grovel’ jab
