IND vs SA: Temba Bavuma Downplays Shukri Conrad's Controversial 'Grovel' Remark With Sly Jibe At Jasprit Bumrah

India vs South Africa 2nd Test: Basking in euphoria after series win, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma soft-pedalled head coach Shukri Conrad's controversial "grovel" remark, through a mundane reasoning that the coach "will have a look at his comments".

The choice of words by Conrad drew stern criticism from former players from both India and South Africa, including legends Anil Kumble and Dale Steyn, who voiced their disappointment with the SA head coach's use of a controversial word, which carries a historical context.

"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.

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The match tension reached its boiling point when India's pace ace Jasprit Bumrah referred to Bavuma as "bauna", a Hindi term for dwarfism, in the Kolkata Test match.

Referring to the "bauna" comment, 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."

For the uninformed, the word 'grovel' carries a cricketing context. In 1976, when the West Indies visited England for a Test series as overwhelming favourites, then English captain Tony Greig, during a pre-series interview, said, "... I intend to make them (West Indies) grovel."

But fierce West Indies made Greig eat back his words as the side thrashed England 5-0 in the series.

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South Africa scripted a 2-0 series whitewash of India with a 408-run drubbing of the hosts in the second Test here, having already won the game after a 30-run victory in Kolkata.

The controversial comment was made by Conrad after the fourth day's play in the second Test.