South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad has landed in hot water after saying he wanted to make India “grovel” following the Proteas’ dominant display in the Guwahati Test. The remark — made at the end of Day 4 — immediately sparked a fierce backlash from former players, pundits and fans, and has now overshadowed what was otherwise a superb performance by the touring side.
Conrad’s comment revived one of cricket’s most notorious phrases. In 1976, England captain Tony Greig used the same word before a series against the West Indies — a line that provoked huge anger and is still remembered as deeply offensive. Many felt Conrad should have known better than to echo that language, regardless of intent. The cleaner course, critics argued, would have been to let South Africa’s cricket do the talking.
The backlash was swift. Legends like Anil Kumble and ex-Test mainstays such as Cheteshwar Pujara, Parthiv Patel and Aakash Chopra publicly questioned the remark, saying a team in a position of strength should show humility rather than indulge in provocative language. Kumble pointed out that words carry weight and history; when you are winning, the first priority is to act with dignity.
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Even within South African circles the reaction was mixed. Fast-bowling great Dale Steyn made it clear he was uncomfortable being associated with the phrase. Speaking on television, Steyn said some comments carry baggage and that there was no need to use such a loaded term — especially when the cricket itself was doing the job.
What makes the controversy stick is that it distracts from the on-field narrative. South Africa produced a near-complete performance in Guwahati: disciplined bowling, smart batting and outstanding fielding all combined to put India under severe pressure. Yet the “grovel” line has shifted the story from a well-executed tour to a PR flare-up that may need damage control.
There are real consequences. In modern cricket, media management and cultural sensitivity matter as much as tactics. A careless phrase can inflame public sentiment, strain relations between boards and invite unnecessary headlines — and these are headaches a winning team does not need. Several voices in the Indian cricketing community have already said they expect an apology or clarification from Conrad’s camp.
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Beyond the immediate fallout, the episode is a reminder of cricket’s wider context. Words from the dugout can resonate far beyond the boundary ropes. Teams and coaches are increasingly judged not only on results but also on how they conduct themselves in victory.
For now, South Africa remain on course to complete a memorable series win. But the legacy of the tour could be tinged by controversy unless the Proteas address the issue quickly and respectfully. In the end, most will agree: cricket should settle scores on the field, and when your team is on top, humility is often the wiser celebration.
