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The stunning 2-0 Test series victory achieved by South Africa over India is currently being overshadowed by an escalating controversy rooted in an unfortunate comment made by head coach Shukri Conrad. The coach’s use of the highly charged term “grovel” to describe the team’s desire to extend their lead in the Guwahati Test has created significant friction, which only Conrad himself can resolve.
The Problematic Terminology
Last Tuesday, Conrad explained his strategic decision to bat deep into Day 4—extending the team’s lead to a monumental 548—by saying they wanted to make India’s players “really grovel.” This phrase carries deep racial and slavery connotations, a fact that dates back to the infamous Tony Greig incident in 1976. For a white South African, born and raised during the Apartheid era, to employ such terminology has ignited warranted scrutiny.
Captain Bavuma Forced to Defend the Indefensible
The immediate consequence of Conrad’s silence has been the unfair obligation placed upon captain Temba Bavuma—a Black man—to continually address the issue.
- In press conferences following the match, Bavuma was repeatedly asked whether he would “endorse” the comment or clarify the “chatter.”
- Bavuma consistently deflected the queries, stating that his mind was focused on the game and that “it’s not for me to clarify anything.”
- The jarring irony of a Black leader being forced to answer for a white coach’s potentially racially charged language has not been lost on observers, underscoring the deep unfairness of the situation.
The coach’s non-response led to South Africa’s media manager curtly shutting down questions on the matter during a subsequent press briefing.
A Clear Path to Resolution
Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has offered clear advice on how to diffuse the situation, suggesting that a formal apology may not even be necessary, but acknowledgement is essential.
“I don’t think an apology is necessary, but acknowledging it and making up for it would be accepted by everyone,” Gavaskar advised. “These things happen… I think he can simply clarify that he got a bit carried away.”
The consensus is clear: the issue is resolvable, but only when Conrad fronts the media. Issuing a considered statement beforehand could help prevent the coach from being put on the spot.
Conrad, known as an intelligent and skilled communicator, is expected to finally address the controversy after the third ODI in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. His upcoming press conference is anticipated to be essential viewing.
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Image Credits : Cric Buzz
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