The Test series between South Africa and India has now been completed. South Africa emerged as the winners; winning 2-0. This was historic as South Africa won a Test series against India, in India, for a quater-of-a-century.
While this has been celebrated, both coaches have come under fire. South African coach, Shukri Conrad, has been accused of using a racial slur that has a historical connotation while Indian coach, Gautam Gambhir, has come in for criticism for the whitewash.
India’s second consecutive Test whitewash at home was not the only headline out of Guwahati. On the eve of the final day of the second Test, South Africa coach, Shukri Conrad, triggered a major controversy with a single word — "grovel" — evoking one of the most racially sensitive flashpoints in cricket history.
After South Africa posted 260-5 declared in their second innings, setting India a virtually impossible target of 549, Conrad explained the team’s strategy in his Day 4 press conference. One phrase immediately sparked uproar.
"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 the game and then say to them well come and survive on the last day and an hour this evening," Shukri Conrad said at the day-end press conference on Tuesday (Day 4).
Though the remark may have seemed innocuous to some, its historical context carries far deeper meaning — particularly within the legacy of South Africa’s apartheid past and cricket’s complex racial history.
The word drew immediate comparisons to a notorious statement made nearly five decades ago. In 1976, ahead of England’s home Test series against West Indies, then-captain, Tony Greig, made a similar remark during a BBC interview.
"I’m not really sure they’re as good as everyone thinks. 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," Tony Greig said in an interview on BBC’s Sports Night program.
The comment provoked a furious reaction from the West Indies squad, uniting the team and galvaniSing one of the most dominant eras in cricket history. Clive Lloyd, captain of that West Indies side, later articulated why the term was so deeply offensive.
"The word ‘grovel’ is one guaranteed to raise the blood pressure of any black man. The fact that 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,” Clive Lloyd said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Tony Greig would later publicly apologiSe, acknowledging the backlash and the insensitivity of his remark.
"I’m a pressman’s dream, if you talk to me long enough, I will say something controversial. I am bound to offend someone and get myself into deep water. ‘Grovel’ was simply an instance of that," Greig said on a London radio station.
While Conrad is not a white South African — and his own background includes being part of South Africa’s historically marginaliSed communities — the historical echoes of the term still carried weight. That the comment came in a dominant position against India, in a post-apartheid global cricket landscape, made it all the more jarring.
Conrad had used the word while explaining his team’s second-innings declaration strategy, which many saw as aggressive and purposeful. According to the coach, South Africa timed their declaration late on Day 4 to extract every tactical advantage possible.
"We looked at how best we can use the new ball so that in the morning we’ve still got a new-ish, hard-ish ball," Shukri Conrad said at the day-end press conference on Tuesday (Day 4).
He added that the late declaration was designed to exploit the changing conditions in the evening session.
"What we felt is that when the shadows come across the wicket in the evening, there is something in it for the quick bowlers. We didn’t want to declare too early and not be able to use that. And obviously we wanted India to spend as much time out on their feet out in the field, 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 said.
He insisted the decision was made with sound judgment, even if it drew scrutiny. "We know they are not just going to roll over. We’re going to have to be at our very best tomorrow. We wanted India to come out after Lunch and spend time on their feet. Their bowlers spent a lot of time out there. We saw the effects of batting for 2 full days in the first innings. It was never going to be easy for their opening batters to come this evening, especially with the new ball, shadows across the wicket. We felt we could have struck there… If tomorrow evening it comes that we have them 8 down and people say ‘see, told you so’… well, we’ve got to base it on our sound judgement and if that doesn’t work out, then it doesn’t. But I don’t think there is a right and wrong in any of this," he said.
Conrad also reiterated the team’s mindset ahead of Day 5. "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," Shukri Conrad added.
India were bowled out for 140 on Day 5, starting from an overnight 27-2. Ravindra Jadeja’s 54 offered some resistance but South Africa’s bowlers wrapped up the match with a 408-run victory — completing a 2-0 series sweep.
In the post-match press conference, South Africa captain, Temba Bavuma, addressed the controversy and acknowledged that the coach’s language may have crossed a line for some.
"Comments made by coach came to me this morning. I was focused on game and didn’t have a chance to speak to him. Shukri is close to 60 years old and he will have a look at his comments. But in this series certain guys have also crossed the line. Not saying coach crossed the line, but he will surely think about it,” Temba Bavuma said in a post-match press conference after the second Test.
Former players from both India and South Africa, including Anil Kumble and Dale Steyn, also voiced their disappointment over Conrad’s use of the word. Former India wicketkeeper, Parthiv Patel, went further, calling the remark "disrespectful" and highlighting the coach’s smirk while delivering the line, adding that he expected an apology on the final day.
Former South Africa fast bowling star, Dale Steyn, has publicly dissociated himself from national head coach Shukri Conrad after the latter's controversial comment suggesting that the Indian team should "really grovel" during the ongoing Test series. The remark made following South Africa's dominant position at the end of Day 4 of the second Test drew swift backlash, prompting Steyn to call the language "unnecessary" and "disappointing." Steyn, speaking to Star Sports ahead of Day 5, insisted that such words carry a heavy historical burden and refused to be associated with them.
Reacting to Conrad's line, Steyn made his discomfort very clear. "I'm not on that boat, eh? I don't like that. I almost don't even want to make a comment about it," Steyn said, visibly uneasy. "There are certain things you just don't say. There's stigma attached to it. It just wasn't necessary. South Africa were in such a dominant position—saying nothing is enough. I'm just not on that boat."
He doubled down on why the phrase was inappropriate, regardless of tone or intention. "Maybe I pick up his tone now—it's not as harsh as Tony Greig's. But that doesn't matter. You just don't use words like that. Toss it. You don't have to say it. That's disappointing. Sorry, Shukri, but that's disappointing."
Steyn's reaction is not isolated. Former India greats, Anil Kumble and Cheteshwar Pujara, have also slammed Conrad's choice of words, calling them disrespectful and out of line given the heavy historical baggage the term "grovel" carries.
From the Indian side, reactions have largely been of hurt and disappointment. For many, the remark echoed a toxic legacy of dominance and humiliation. beyond outrage, the comment may have reignited India's resolve to respond on the field proving that performance, not provocative words, matters.
The controversy triggered by South Africa coach Shukri Conrad, when he said, ‘We wanted them (Indian team) to really grovel,’ refuses to die down. After Anil Kumble and Cheteshwar Pujara called him out for his remark and Dale Steyn cut all ties with what the 58-year-old had to say during the post-day press conference on Tuesday, Parthiv Patel has come up with a scathing take on the whole incident. The former India wicketkeeper says he expected better from a representative of South African cricket, calling the term 'disrespectful'.
"Maybe the South African coach does not know the weightage of the word. But I don’t think so. There was a smirk on his face when he said it. There is no doubt that it was disrespectful. As the Indian team all you do is tell them that ‘You’ve come to this situation by playing well. Well done to you. But there was no need to use such words’. I think through the day we will see an apology from Conrad. I don’t think such things are needed on the cricketing field. You can fight, play hard, but such things are not needed," Patel said on the Star Sports broadcast before the start of the day’s play on Wednesday.
The word itself implies submission or abasement; Merriam-Webster defines it as lying prostrate in a show of subservience. Coming from a white South African, the term landed with far heavier weight. It offended the West Indies deeply. Lloyd would later say, "The word ‘grovel’ is guaranteed to raise the blood pressure of any black man… and hearing it from a white South African made it worse. We were angry. West Indians everywhere were angry. We decided we would show the world that grovelling was a thing of the past."
What followed became part of cricketing folklore. Fuelled by the insult, the West Indies unleashed a level of intensity that overwhelmed England, sealing the five-Test series 3-0 in commanding fashion. Nine months later, Greig had lost the England captaincy and moved on to Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket, while the West Indies’ era of dominance was only just beginning.
It appears as if Conrad knew the weight that word carries. Moments after using “grovel,” he softened the blow with a quick "to borrow a phrase," signalling he understood its historical baggage. He made the remark while outlining why South Africa delayed their declaration until 40 minutes into the final session on day four of the second Test against India in Guwahati on Tuesday.
As debate continues around the remark and its implications, what remains undeniable is South Africa’s dominance on the field — and the emotional legacy that still lingers around one word in cricket’s global vocabulary.
Meanwhile, Former India wicketkeeper, Dinesh Karthik, was at a loss for words while describing the team's capitulation at the hands of South Africa in the 2nd Test in Guwahati. Speaking after Wednesday's 408-run defeat, which was India's biggest-ever in the format, a visibly frustrated Karthik struggled to sum up the baffling decline of the national Test setup. With South Africa sweeping the two-match series, the Indian team has now been whitewashed twice at home in the span of 12 months. For the unversed, New Zealand beat India 3-0 last year.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir, as expected, has come under scrutiny for several selection decisions. Taking to Instagram, Karthik explained that touring teams are no longer intimidated to play India in India.
"Teams used to be scared to come to India to play Test cricket. Now they must be licking their lips. I mean, a second whitewash in a span of 12 months. In the last 3 series played here in India, 2 have been whitewashes. These are tough times for India in test cricket and tough decisions might have to be taken. But what is lacking? Is it the quality of players, the inability to play spin? Pacers and spinners are being out-bowled in India. One too many allrounders being played. Nitish Reddy, the nominated allrounder, pace allrounder, has bowled 14 overs across the whole domestic calendar season in Test cricket in India. India had just 2 players who have scored hundreds in this Test series. South Africa had 7. I mean, c'mon, we are better than that. How can suddenly there be a nosedive in Test cricket?," said Karthik.
He also raised concerns surrounding the musical chairs in the No. 3 position, adding that the batting appeared fragile against both pace and spin.
"In the WTC cycle, 65 Test matches that have been played, India's No.3 holds the second-worst record in the 1st innings of a Test match averaging 26. That is something for us to ponder about. Who is our No. 3? How much stability are we going to give in. Washington plays at No.3 in Kolkata, Sai Sudharsan is playing No.3 in Guwahati. Is chopping and changing helping India or do we need to give more stability and consistency? What is the answer? It almost feels like this WTC cycle, India have very minimal chances. 2 away games against Sri Lanka, 2 away games against New Zealand and 5 Tests against Australia at home," he added.
The 40-year-old also questioned whether the team management would address these issues or just move on, considering the busy white-ball schedule coming up.
"But the next Test match is after 7 months. Are we going to forget this? Are we going to move on saying, 'ok, that's afresh season' By then so much of white ball cricket would have happened and I am sure India are so good at that, we'll tend to overlook what's happening in Test cricket right now. That is the big question to ponder. Think. What does it take for this Test team to come back and become as good as they were," explained Karthik.
While criticism of head coach Gautam Gambhir has grown louder, culminating in fans booing him at the stadium. Senior spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, offered a nuanced perspective on his YouTube channel, urging restraint and shared responsibility.
The veteran off-spinner cautioned against knee-jerk reactions and personal attacks: "I don't like this individual attack. Managing a team cannot be that easy. And yes, he [Gambhir] is also hurting. It might feel nice to get someone's sacking done, but that's not how it should be. I've never been that kind of person. It's not about supporting anyone; Gautam is not my relative. Yes, mistakes happen. Yes, I could find mistakes. These mistakes anybody can make. It's just that when they cost you big, you ask about the reason. But generally, let's just ask and introspect: where did we go wrong."
Delhi Capitals co-owner, Parth Jindal, took to social media to react to the Indian cricket team's Test series loss against South Africa. India suffered a massive 408-run defeat in the second Test match at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati leading to head coach Gautam Gambhir facing massive criticism. Jindal requested the BCCI to appoint a dedicated 'red-ball coach' while lamenting over India's second home Test series loss in little over a year. While India's white-ball form under Gambhir has been quite impressive, the team's performances in Test cricket have led to criticism from fans and experts.
"Not even close, what a complete thrashing at home! Don't remember seeing our test side being so weak at home!!! This is what happens when red ball specialists are not picked. This team is nowhere near reflective of the deep strength we possess in the red ball format. Time for India to move to a specialist red-ball coach for Test cricket," he wrote on X.
Gambhir didn't blame any individual for the debilitating 408-run defeat against South Africa in the second Test but dropped enough hints that he was livid with India's stand-in captain, Rishabh Pant, for "playing to the gallery."
Gambhir's par-for-the course fiery post-match press conference had one anomaly though - he was a bundle of contradictions through and through those 15 odd minutes.
India were 95-1, but things went downhill from thereon with the hosts left stuttering at 122-7, largely due to Marco Jansen's exploits with the red cherry. Pant gave charge to Jansen when he needed to show some discretion and that shot possibly was the worst of all the dismissals.
After the 0-2 series defeat, Gambhir was asked if he would have expected better from Pant, who is now one short of 50 Test matches."
"You don't blame one individual shot. You don't blame one individual playing in a certain way. You blame everyone. So, me talking about an individual, I've never done that. I am not going to do it," Gambhir said in a no-nonsense manner after fronting up at the media conference.
He was very clear that he didn't want to "brush things under the carpet."
"The reality is, we still need to improve a lot in red ball cricket. Whether it's mentally, whether it's technically, whether it's absorbing pressure, whether it's sacrificing, whether it's putting the team ahead of your individual self. And most importantly, not playing for the gallery," he added.
Calls to “Sack Gautam Gambhir ASAP” flooded social media after India were comprehensively outplayed by South Africa in the two-match Test series at home. The visitors dominated the second Test in Guwahati after setting a 549-run target and then skittling India for just 140 in their second innings.
As India batting collapsed at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, frustrated supporters vented their ire at Gautam Gambhir, blaming his tactics, selections and constant chopping and changing for the team’s decline in red-ball cricket. Posts demanding his sacking, including messages like, "Remove coach Gautam Gambhir and see how this team starts winning home Tests again" and, "Sack Gambhir between the Test if you have any shame left," went viral as the meltdown unfolded. The phrase "Sack Gautam Gambhir ASAP" trended prominently on X, with many users accusing the former opener of "ruining” India’s Test setup through over-experimentation and an alleged preference for IPL-style players."
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has firmly decided not to take any knee-jerk decision on the head coach even after India suffered a humiliating 0-2 home Test series whitewash against South Africa – their second successive home whitewash by the Proteas in 12 months.
According to senior BCCI officials, quoted by The Indian Express, the board is treating the current phase as a "transition period" and will not rush into any coaching change.
"The BCCI will not rush in taking any decision. The team is in a transition phase… we will not take any decision on Gautam Gambhir as the World Cup is around the corner and his contract is till the 2027 World Cup," a top official said.
His contract runs until the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
I was completely unaware of the history of the term "grovel." Regardless, once I saw/read the term, I felt a bit uncomfortable. Now that I know the history of it in the sport, I am more disgusted by it even more. What's sickening is that Shukri Conrad was apparently aware of the term's usage. I would have to side with Dale Steyn and the other critics. I refuse to associate myself with racists.
I believe that Gautam Gambhir is treading on thin ice. This is despite the BCCI's backing. I know that if this trend continues, India cricket will plumment in obscurity. If this occurs, there might be a fan revolt that won't end until they get what they want. Anarchy will arise. I can only speculate that no cricket board will want to suffer through that.