Conrad must come clean on grovelgate

Coach Shukri Conrad should resolve the controversy he created last week by saying he wanted to make India's players grovel. This is necessary to end the unfairness of Temba Bavuma being asked about the matter.

The issue has arisen both times Bavuma has faced the press in the past week and is likely to grow until Conrad addresses it.

Last Tuesday, Conrad explained South Africa batting deep into the fourth day in Guwahati—taking their lead to 548—by saying, in part, "We wanted them to really grovel, to steal a phrase."

The next day, Bavuma was asked if he endorsed Conrad's remark.

"The comment came to me this morning," Bavuma said. "My mind has been focused on the game. I haven't had the opportunity to chat to the coach, but Shukri is close to 60. He's experienced. I think he will, at some point, speak to those comments.

"From the team's perspective, we understand the magnitude and intensity of the series. As we have seen, there have been times when certain guys have crossed the line. I'm not saying the coach has crossed the line, but those things happen. I think he'll have an opportunity to speak more to that."

Bavuma didn't elaborate on who "crossed the line," but India's players had referenced his height disparagingly during the first Test regarding an lbw review.

On Tuesday, ahead of the second ODI in Raipur, Bavuma was asked if chatter about the coach's remark was distracting.

"No, I don't think it's distracting," Bavuma said. When pressed to clarify, he declined: "It's not for me to clarify anything." South Africa's media manager then ended the discussion.

The term "grovel" has been taboo in cricket since Tony Greig used it before the 1976 series against West Indies. For a white South African from the apartheid era to use a term associated with slavery and racism toward black people is deeply problematic.

West Indies channeled their anger into performance, winning that series 3-0. Greig faced heightened aggression, scoring significantly only in one Test.

It is wrong for anyone besides Conrad to explain his words, especially a black man like Bavuma. Reporters may argue they had no choice since Conrad hasn't fronted up.

This isn't new for Bavuma. In October 2021, he had to answer for Quinton de Kock's refusal to play a T20 World Cup match after CSA instructed players to take a knee for Black Lives Matter.

Sunil Gavaskar has advised Conrad on damage control: "I don't think an apology is necessary, but acknowledging it and making up for it would be accepted. These things happen. In the heat of the moment, you can get carried away. Given the strong India-South Africa cricket connection, he can clarify he got carried away."

Gavaskar is correct that the controversy is resolvable, but only Conrad can resolve it. A statement could help organize his thoughts before facing questions.

Even with a statement, he will be asked about it at his next press conference. A skilled communicator, Conrad is capable of talking his way out of this.

Conrad is likely to take questions after the third ODI in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. His press conferences are always worth attending, but this one will be unmissable.