Sunil Gavaskar Slams Conrad: Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar criticised South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad for his controversial “grovel” remark on the Indian cricket team. Conrad made this remark during last week’s press conference in Guwahati, after the hosts got whitewashed by 2-0 in the two-match test series.
Gavaskar stated that comment was “ill-advised” and said that Conrad should acknowledge the remark he made on the Indian team.
“We Wanted India To Really Grovel” : Shukri Conrad
The Proteas gave the Indian team their second whitewash at home in the last 12 months. Conrad passed that comment on the Men In Blue when he was asked during the second test at the Barsapara Stadium about why the Proteas did not enforce the follow-on despite having a 288-run lead in the first innings.
To which Conrad replied by stating,
“We wanted them (India) to really grovel.”
“Ill-advised”: Sunil Gavaskar Slams Conrad
This remark of Grovel sparked outrage among both fans and experts of India and South Africa. Talking about this during the India vs South Africa 1st ODI clash, Gavaskar stated that Conrad’s choice of words was inappropriate, especially regarding the role India and the BCCI played in South Africa’s return to international cricket.
The Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar said,
“You could say it was an ill-advised use of the word. We need to look back at South Africa’s re-entry into international cricket. It was the Indian Cricket Board that proposed South Africa’s readmission after more than 20 years of isolation, and their first international match on return was played in India.”
“When you consider the current landscape of South African cricket, especially the SA20, five out of the six franchises are Indian-owned. These owners are significantly supporting South African players – not just the international stars who are well taken care of, but the fringe players as well, giving them opportunities to build strong careers.”
“Apology Is Necessary”: Sunil Gavaskar
Further, Sunil Gavaskar stated that he’s not asking for an apology but expects Conrad to offer some clarity in his next press conference about that remark he made.
He said,
“Indian and South African cricket have shared a positive, collaborative relationship for decades. Across all the years and encounters between the two teams, the cricket has always been competitive and tough, but never hostile. I have witnessed nearly every India-South Africa contest, and it has always been hard, fair cricket. Nothing beyond that. So yes, it may have been an ill-advised remark – wrong time, wrong place.”
“I hope that in his next media interaction, he addresses it. I don’t think an apology is necessary; I personally don’t believe in apologies. But acknowledging it and making up for it would be accepted by everyone. These things happen. In the heat of the moment, you can get carried away and say something that goes a bit over the top. Given the strong connection between Indian and South African cricket over the last 30 years, I think he can simply clarify that he got a bit carried away.”
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