Sunil Gavaskar Urges South Africa Coach to Clarify Controversial Remarks

Sunil Gavaskar has urged South Africa's head coach, Shukri Conrad, to clarify his controversial 'grovel' remark made during a press conference after the second Test against India. Gavaskar emphasized India's pivotal role in South Africa's return to international cricket and highlighted the strong ties between the two nations. He suggested that rather than an apology, a simple acknowledgment of the ill-advised comment would suffice. The former cricketer noted the collaborative relationship between Indian and South African cricket, advocating for a respectful dialogue moving forward.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 30, 2025, 21:22 IST

Gavaskar Critiques Coach's Comments

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has called on South Africa's head coach, Shukri Conrad, to address his controversial 'grovel' comment made during a press conference after the second Test match between India and South Africa. Gavaskar labeled the remark as 'ill-advised' following South Africa's clean sweep of the Test series, winning 2-0. In the second Test held in Guwahati, South Africa had a substantial first-innings lead of 288 runs and opted to bat again instead of enforcing a follow-on. When questioned about this decision, Conrad stated, 'We wanted them (India) to really grovel.'

India's Contribution to South African Cricket

During an appearance on the JioHotstar show 'Cricket Live', Gavaskar emphasized the significant role India played in South Africa's return to international cricket after years of isolation. He pointed out that the Indian Cricket Board was instrumental in advocating for South Africa's readmission, with their first match post-isolation taking place in India. Gavaskar also highlighted the current dynamics of South African cricket, noting that five out of six franchises in the SA20 league are owned by Indian investors, who are providing substantial support to both established and emerging South African players.

Request for Clarification Rather Than Apology

Gavaskar remarked on the longstanding competitive yet respectful relationship between Indian and South African cricket, asserting that there has never been a history of animosity. He suggested that rather than an apology, a clarification acknowledging that the comment was inappropriate would suffice, given the strong ties between the two nations. 'The cricketing encounters have always been tough but fair, without hostility. I have witnessed many matches between India and South Africa, and they have always been characterized by hard, fair play,' he stated. Gavaskar expressed hope that Conrad would address the issue in his next media interaction, suggesting that acknowledging the comment would be well-received.