Dale Steyn Slams South Africa Coach For Grovel Jibe: ‘Sorry Shukri, But That’s…’ | Cricket News

South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad. (AP)

Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn called South Africa coach Shukri Conrad’s use of the word ‘grovel’ for the Indian team ‘disappointing’.

In trying to explain why his team delayed their second-innings declaration on Day 4 of the second Test despite holding a massive lead, Conrad said they wanted India to ‘really grovel,’ a word that immediately drew scrutiny because of its charged history in cricket.

The remark revived memories of 1976, when England captain Tony Greig infamously declared he would make the dominant West Indies side ‘grovel’ before the series. The comment, in that time’s context of the Apartheid and of a white South African saying it about a Black team, was widely criticised for its racial undertones.

“I’m not on that boat, eh? I don’t like that,” Styen said on the broadcast. “I almost don’t even want to make a comment about it. There are certain things you just don’t say. There’s stigma attached to it. It just wasn’t necessary. South Africa were in such a dominant position—saying nothing is enough. I’m just not on that boat. Maybe I pick up his tone now—it’s not as harsh as Tony Greig’s. But that doesn’t matter. You just don’t use words like that. Toss it. You don’t have to say it. That’s disappointing. Sorry, Shukri, but that’s disappointing,” he added.

Former India captain Anil Kumble was similarly critical.

“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,” he said. “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,” he added.

While Greig’s remark fired up the West Indies, with Clive Lloyd’s stunning all-pace attack going on to beat England 3-0 in a five-Test series, India meekly surrendered to the South Africans on Wednesday. A 408-run loss was the worst-ever in Indian history.