Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn has slammed the South African head coach Shukri Conrad after the latter’s controversial ‘grovel’ statement after the fourth day’s play in the second and final Test.
Notably, India suffered a 408-run drubbing in the second and final Test against South Africa. Eventually, India suffered its second consecutive Test series whitewash at home against New Zealand and South Africa, respectively.
For the unversed, Conrad had said that South Africa wanted India to “really grovel” by batting long and wearing down the hosts.
"We wanted India 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 of the game and then say to them well, come and survive on the last day and an hour this evening," Conrad had said in the press conference.
Speaking to Star Sports, Steyn insisted that such words carry a heavy historical burden and refused to be associated with them.
“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.” He doubled down on why the phrase was inappropriate, regardless of tone or intention.“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,” Steyn said on Star Sports.
Furthermore, former India cricketers Anil Kumble and Cheteshwar Pujara have also lashed out at Conrad's choice of words, calling them disrespectful and out of line.
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“Sorry, Shukri, but that's disappointing” - Dale Steyn distances himself from SA head coach’s ‘grovel’ comment
Dale Steyn publicly rejected South Africa coach Shukri Conrad's use of the word "grovel" in reference to India, calling it "disappointing." Steyn stressed the word's heavy historical and racial stigma makes it unacceptable in modern cricket commentary.
Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn has slammed the South African head coach Shukri Conrad after the latter’s controversial ‘grovel’ statement after the fourth day’s play in the second and final Test.
Notably, India suffered a 408-run drubbing in the second and final Test against South Africa. Eventually, India suffered its second consecutive Test series whitewash at home against New Zealand and South Africa, respectively.
For the unversed, Conrad had said that South Africa wanted India to “really grovel” by batting long and wearing down the hosts.
"We wanted India 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 of the game and then say to them well, come and survive on the last day and an hour this evening," Conrad had said in the press conference.
Speaking to Star Sports, Steyn insisted that such words carry a heavy historical burden and refused to be associated with them.
“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.” He doubled down on why the phrase was inappropriate, regardless of tone or intention.“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,” Steyn said on Star Sports.
Furthermore, former India cricketers Anil Kumble and Cheteshwar Pujara have also lashed out at Conrad's choice of words, calling them disrespectful and out of line.
Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at Sky365 and download the Sky365 App to start betting today!