Former India cricketer Parthiv Patel has strongly criticised South Africa coach Shukri Conrad for his remarks about wanting to make India "grovel" after stumps on Day 4 of the second Test in Guwahati.
The term "grovel" carries a notorious place in cricketing history, famously used by England’s Tony Greig before a series against the West Indies in 1976. Greig’s statement, that he wanted to make the West Indies ‘grovel’, infuriated the West Indies, who went on to thrash England 3-0 in the five-match
series.
Conrad’s use of the word has drawn attention, with the host broadcaster seeking reactions from former India players including Anil Kumble, Parthiv Patel, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Akash Chopra. Patel was particularly outspoken, giving Conrad no benefit of the doubt and suggesting that an apology would be expected on the fifth day of the Test.
“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 Star Sports.
India headed into the final day with their backs against the wall, ending Day 4 at 27/2 in Guwahati. They needed to bat through the entire day to salvage a draw, however, that was not to be as they tumbled out for merely 140 to lose the Test by a record 408-run margin. South Africa clinched the series 2-0, having won the first Test at Eden Gardens by 30 runs.
