South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad sparked a major debate after making an avoidable remark during the press conference following Day 4 of the second Test in Guwahati. With the Proteas setting India a target of over 500 runs to chase on the final day, Conrad said he wanted the team to grovel.
The comment stunned the Indian cricket fraternity, with legends such as Anil Kumble and Cheteshwar Pujara expressing surprise and stating they did not expect Conrad to use such language.
"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," Conrad said in the press conference.
Kumble, one of the greatest spinners to have played the game, said he expected a team like South Africa to remain humble, especially when they were on the cusp of a historic victory against India.
"There's history attached to this. Fifty years ago, an England captain used the same phrase against the great West Indies side, and we all know what followed. South Africa have most likely won the series, but when you're on top, your choice of words matters. Humility is most important at such times. I certainly didn't expect this from the coach or the support staff. When you're winning, the first thing is to stay humble, not say something like this at a press conference,” said Kumble.
Pujara, speaking ahead of the final day’s play, said he hoped the remark would motivate the Indian team. He added that India needed to fight through all three sessions by building strong partnerships and responding firmly with the bat.
"It does fire up the team, but it will hurt as well. I don't think that statement will go down well in the dressing room. But the best way to answer it is to fight it out-bat three sessions, build partnerships. We're in this position because we haven't played good cricket, and the response has to come with the bat, not through words,” said Pujara.
