South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad found himself at the centre of a storm on November 25 after he explained his team’s decision to bat deep on Day 4 of the Guwahati Test by saying they “wanted India to really grovel.”
While the word can simply denote forcing an opponent to toil, its historical baggage, especially in cricket has made many Indian fans view it as racially charged.
Why the Word ‘Grovel’ Raised Eyebrows
In literal terms, grovel means to crawl or lie face-down, or metaphorically, to humble oneself in submission. The word isn’t inherently racist, but its associations with humiliation, subservience, and power dynamics often give it uncomfortable undertones.
This sensitivity is rooted in cricketing history, particularly the infamous Tony Greig episode which transformed the word into a symbol of racial disrespect for many.
The Tony Greig Connection: A Painful Cricket Memory
Ahead of England’s 1976 Test series against the West Indies, South African-born England captain Tony Greig declared that he wanted to “make them grovel.”
The remark, coming from a white South African at a time when Apartheid still gripped South Africa was taken as a racial insult by West Indian players and fans.
West Indies captain Clive Lloyd later said, “The word ‘grovel’ is one guaranteed to raise the blood pressure of any black man.”
Motivated by Greig’s comments, the West Indian pacers unleashed a brutal display of fast bowling, eventually crushing England 3–0.
When Greig was bowled by Michael Holding in the final Test, spectators mocked him by demanding he “grovel”—and he obliged theatrically, kneeling before the crowd.
Since then, grovel has carried racial undertones in cricket conversations.
Why Conrad Used the Word and Why It Backfired
After South Africa declared at 260/5, setting India a massive target of 549, Conrad defended the delayed declaration by saying they wanted India in the field longer.
“We wanted India to spend as much time as possible on their feet… we wanted them to really grovel.”
He meant to imply extended fatigue and strategic dominance, not racial subservience. However, because the word evokes the Greig episode—and because South Africa’s racial history is deeply fraught—the comment struck a nerve with many supporters.
Some Indian journalists and fans quickly linked Conrad’s words to Greig’s remark, alleging a racial undertone. Social media amplified the criticism, with many calling the phrase “unnecessary” and “provocative.”
Is Conrad’s Comment Racist? The Debate
The situation differs sharply from 1976:
- Shukri Conrad is himself a Brown South African, belonging to a historically marginalised community under Apartheid.
- His usage appears strategic, not racial.
- Yet the word’s baggage and South Africa’s past make public reaction sensitive.
As of now, neither the South African team management nor Conrad has issued a clarification.
Fans React Sharply Online
Indian fans and some veteran journalists criticised the phrasing.
Sports journalist Samip Rajguru wrote on X, “This series will be remembered for this statement… ‘We wanted India to grovel.’”
Another user commented, “Tony Greig – 1976. Shukri Conrad – 2025… both South Africans, both racists.”
The reactions highlight how deeply historical wounds can influence the interpretation of a single word especially in cricket, where politics, colonial memory, and sport often intersect.
While Conrad likely intended the word in a purely competitive sense, grovel remains one of the most emotionally charged terms in cricket lore. Its re-emergence was bound to stir backlash, especially when directed at a major cricketing nation like India.
The coming days may bring more explanation, but the incident has already added a dramatic layer to an otherwise one-sided Test series.