The cricketing world has been abuzz over the past week, not just because of the high-octane contests between India and South Africa, but due to a single word that managed to overshadow even a historic Test victory. South Africa’s head coach, Shukri Conrad, found himself at the center of a media storm after his use of the word "grovel" following the fourth day of the second Test in Guwahati. With emotions running high and fans on both sides weighing in, Conrad has now publicly addressed the controversy, offering clarity, context, and a measure of regret.
After South Africa’s commanding performance in Guwahati—where the Proteas batted for over six hours to set India a daunting target of 549—Conrad remarked, “We wanted the Indians 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, 'come and survive on the last day and an hour this evening.'” These words, intended to capture the grueling nature of the contest, instead ignited a firestorm. The term "grovel," with its historically charged undertones in cricket, especially in the context of South Africa’s own complicated past, struck a nerve among Indian fans, journalists, and former players.
Speaking to the media after the conclusion of the ODI series, Conrad was candid about the fallout. “On reflection, it was never my intention to cause any malice or not be humble about anything. I could have chosen a better word because it left it open for people to put their own context to it,” he admitted, as reported by ESPNCricinfo. The coach emphasized that his only aim was to highlight his team’s strategy—making India toil long and hard in the field. “The only context I ever intended it to be was that we wanted India to spend a lot of time in the field and make it really tough for them. I've got to be careful what word I use here now because context could be attached to that as well.”
Conrad’s comments did little to quell the initial outrage, but his subsequent clarification has gone some way toward restoring focus on the cricket itself. “I am going to be careful in the future, but someone will attach context to what I say,” he noted, acknowledging the power words have in the public domain. “It was a pity, and it spiced up the ODI series, with India winning. The T20 series becomes more important.”
Indeed, the controversy seemed to energize the Indian side, who bounced back to claim the ODI series 2-1. The upcoming T20 series, set to begin on December 9, now carries an extra layer of intrigue—not just because of the on-field rivalry, but due to the off-field narratives swirling around both camps. Cricket South Africa, for its part, has yet to issue any official comment on Conrad’s remarks as of December 7, 2025, leaving the coach to handle the spotlight alone.
There’s no denying that Conrad’s choice of words took some shine off what was, by any measure, a remarkable achievement. South Africa’s Test series win in India marked their first such triumph in 25 years, a feat that should have been the central talking point. Instead, as Conrad himself lamented, “A lot of noise was made. I know it is not a good English word, but it took away the gloss from our special win in India. It was unfortunate, but I didn’t intend to hurt anyone.”
He continued, highlighting the ethos of his team: “We believe in being humble. Unfortunately, the talk was centred around the coach. It is not important to know who the coach is. It should be about the ones who are playing. It should be put to bed now.” The coach’s humility and willingness to take responsibility have been noted by many observers, even as the debate raged on social media and in cricketing circles.
For the Indian squad, the ODI series provided a platform for redemption after the disappointment of the Test series. Rohit Sharma’s imperious form—scoring two fifties—and Virat Kohli’s prolific run, which included two centuries and a fifty, proved decisive. Kohli’s performances earned him the Player of the Series award, underscoring his continued mastery in the 50-over format. Conrad, gracious in defeat, acknowledged the challenge posed by such world-class opposition: “You can’t do much when Rohit Sharma is in this type of form.”
Still, the South African camp was left with mixed feelings. The joy of a rare Test series win was tempered by disappointment in the ODI arena. “We had a chance to do something special. India lost both the Test series and the ODI series in the 1990s. They have world-class players,” Conrad observed, reflecting on what might have been had his side capitalized on their momentum.
As the dust settles, Conrad’s “grovel” remark stands as a reminder of how language can shape narratives in international sport. “The unfortunate thing is, with all the noise that word caused, I still think it's a perfectly good English word, but I just left it open to too many interpretations. It's unfortunate, but there was definitely no malice intended,” Conrad reiterated, hoping to draw a line under the episode. He did concede, with a touch of irony, that the controversy may have added a little extra spice to the contests: “Maybe what it did do was spice up the ODI series, and especially with India winning that now, the T20 series becomes even more so.”
Looking ahead, both teams will be eager to shift the focus back to cricket. The T20 series promises high drama, with India riding a wave of momentum and South Africa keen to reassert themselves after a bittersweet week. Fans can expect fireworks on the field—this time, hopefully, for all the right reasons.
As the teams prepare for their next battle, Conrad’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for players and coaches alike: words matter, sometimes as much as runs and wickets. For now, the cricket takes center stage once more, and the world will be watching as India and South Africa write the next chapter of their storied rivalry.
