“You just don’t use words like that” - Former cricketer slams South Africa coach’s controversial remark during IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test

Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn criticised head coach Shukri Conrad's choice of words while addressing the media after Day 4 of the second Test against India at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. The 58-year-old admitted that the Proteas wanted India to 'grovel' amid their ploy to delay the declaration in the second innings.

Conrad, who guided South Africa to the World Test Championship (WTC) title earlier this year as the red-ball coach, used the derogatory term, grovel, to emphasise the team's ruthlessness to take an Indian win out of the equation completely.

"Obviously, we wanted the Indians to spend as much time on their feet out in the field, we wanted them to really grovel, to steal a phrase, bat them completely out the game, and then say to them 'Come and survive on the last day and an hour this evening.' So, so far so good, but we also know that they're not just going to roll over, we're going to have to be at our very best in the morning," the head coach had said during the press conference after Day 4 (via ESPN Cricinfo).

Fellow South African, Dale Steyn, opined that under no circumstances should the word 'grovel' be used by the head coach, labelling it as simply unnecessary.

“I’m not on that boat, eh? I don’t like that. 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," Steyn said on Star Sports (via Hindustan Times).

The former South African pacer also added that Conrad's milder tone does not justify his use of the word.

“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 Indian players Anil Kumble, Cheteshwar Pujara, Aakash Chopra, and Parthiv Patel have all slammed South Africa coach Conrad's remarks ahead of Day 5 of the contest. The visiting coach has stirred a controversy out of nowhere, as both sides have played the series on the field, abiding by the Spirit of Cricket.

Tony Greig had sparked outrage after using the term 'grovel' during a Test series against the West Indies

Former cricketer Tony Greig had infamously used the word in question during the home series against the West Indies in 1976, which triggered the cricketing fraternity. The term, which has more than a shade of a racial overtone, is not a common feature in the cricketing world anymore due to the events that transpired in the past.

“If they’re down, they grovel, and I intend… to make them grovel," former England captain Greig had said ahead of the series.

The usage of the term was not taken lightly by West Indies captain Clive Lloyd, who issued a response of his own later on as well.

“The word ‘grovel’ is one guaranteed to raise the blood pressure of any black man… We resolved to show him that the days for grovelling were over," the legendary skipper said.

West Indies were at their ruthless best during the five-match series, recording a 3-0 triumph with Viv Richards slamming 829 runs at an average of 118.42 and Michael Holding taking 28 wickets at an average of 12.71.

Greig only featured in 12 more matches after the home series against the Men in Maroon, going on to lose his captaincy shortly after the 3-0 result as he switched over to the infamous World Series Cricket.