“He will have a…’: Temba Bavuma clears air on ‘Grovel’ remarks by head coach during Guwahati Test

Temba Bavuma downplayed Shukri Conrad’s controversial remarks that he wanted India to “really grovel“, through a reasoning that the head coach “will have a look at his comments“. Former players from both India and South Africa have expressed disappointment at Conrad’s usage of the word “grovel”, to describe Proteas’ dominance in the just-concluded Test series which they won 2-0.

“Comments made by coach came to me this morning. I was focused on game and didn’t have a chance to speak to him. Shukri is close to 60 years old and he will have a look at his comments,” Bavuma said at the post-match press conference when asked about the comment that sparked a controversy.

Referring to the “bauna” comment made by Jasprit Bumrah to describe the South Africa skipper’s height during the first Test in Kolkata, Bavuma added, “But in this series certain guys have also crossed the line. Not saying coach crossed the line, but he will surely think about it” he said.

South Africa completed a 2-0 series sweep of India with a 408-run drubbing of the hosts in the second Test here, having entered the game after a 30-run victory in Kolkata. Conrad made the comments after the end of fourth day’s play in the second Test with his team in a commanding position to win their first Test series in India in 25 years.