South Africa Coach Shukri Conrad Humbled After ODI Series Defeat to India, Regrets 'Grovel' Remark

South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad has expressed regret over the wording he used during the Guwahati Test, acknowledging that the term "grovel" drew unnecessary controversy and overshadowed his team's remarkable Test series win against India.

Regret Over the 'Grovel' Remark

Conrad admitted that the comment unintentionally shifted attention away from the players and onto himself. He said the term, which in South Africa carries sensitive historical connotations, "took the sheen" off what should have been a celebratory moment after a significant red-ball victory.

"On reflection, it was never my intention to cause any malice or be anything other than humble," Conrad said. "Could I have been smarter with the word I used? Absolutely. It left space for people to attach their own context, when all I meant was that India should have to work really hard."

He added that the ensuing noise conflicted with his core coaching values. "Being humble is a cornerstone of our Test team and all our teams, really. People shouldn't even know who the coach is, it should always be about the players. Unfortunately, the noise became about me."

Coach Vows More Careful Communication

Acknowledging how quickly context can be reshaped in the public space, Conrad said he would choose his words more cautiously going forward. "I'm going to be careful with what I say because any word can be pulled into a different frame. It's a pity it spiralled the way it did, but there was definitely no malice intended."

Loss in ODI Series and Takeaways

Reflecting on India's 2-1 ODI series win, after South Africa's own 2-0 sweep in the Tests, Conrad said his team had missed a chance to secure a rare double-format victory at home. He praised India's senior batters, particularly Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, whose performances defined the series.

"Our youngsters got to see firsthand what the best in the world look like," Conrad said. "Virat and Rohit showed the standards required, and that's an experience we have to take forward."

Batting Shortcomings in the Decider

Conrad admitted that South Africa struggled to set a competitive total in the deciding ODI and failed to sustain pressure despite an encouraging start with the ball. "We needed a far more competitive total. When you're slightly off against a team like India, they make you pay."