SA Coach Sparks Row: Shukri Conrad Says India Must “Grovel” in Guwahati Test

South Africa head coach Shukrie Conrad triggered a full-blown controversy on Tuesday when he said India would have to "beg" on the fourth day of the second Test in Guwahati. South Africa declared their innings in Guwahati with a lead of 548 runs after batting for over 80 overs in their second innings. By stumps on day four, India lost two wickets for 27. Now, on the fifth day, India needs 522 runs to win, while the Proteas require 8 wickets.

Sukri Conrad told the press conference that we wanted India to stay on their feet for as long as possible, we wanted them to literally beg. We could completely knock them out of the game and then tell them to come and stay for another hour on the last day this evening.

It should be noted that Shukri used the word "grovel" for India, which is also considered a racial slur. This has a connection to a 49-year-old controversy when legendary England captain Tony Greig used the same word for the West Indies.

In 1976, England played a home Test series against the West Indies. The West Indies entered that series after losing 5-1 in Australia, and England captain Tony Greig sparked controversy by using the word "grovel" in a BBC interview about the result.

He said, "I'm not really sure they're as good as everyone thinks." According to ESPNcricinfo, Greig said, "These guys are fantastic cricketers when they're at the top. But when they're at the bottom, they grovel, and my intention is to force them to grovel with the help of Brian Close and a few other players."

The England captain's use of such a word angered the West Indies team and fans. Many accused Greig of racism. West Indies cricket team captain Clive Lloyd said, "The word 'grovel' is enough to raise the blood pressure of any black man."

He said it was used by a white South African, which made it even worse. We were angry, and West Indians everywhere were angry. We decided to show him and everyone else that the days of pleading were over.

In fact, some of the England players were also unhappy with Greg's statement, and eventually, Greg publicly apologized on a London radio station, saying, "I'm a pressman's dream. If you talk to me for too long, I'll say something controversial. I'll offend someone and get myself into trouble. 'Grovel' was just one example of that."

The first two matches of that five-match Test series between England and the West Indies were drawn. The Caribbean team then won three consecutive matches to take the series 3-0. During that time, fans on the field mocked Greg. He even went on his knees and begged the crowd to humiliate him.