“Certain guys crossed…”- Temba Bavuma reacts to SA head coach’s ‘grovel’ comment during 2nd Test vs India

On a day when South Africa earned a massive success by winning their second Test series in India, post the 408-run defeat at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati along with their previous win at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the headline was regarding the statement of ‘grovel’ by the Protea head coach, Shukri Conrad, despite knowing the emotional connection of the word.

Temba Bavuma, in the post-match press conference, doused the flames by remarking that Conrad is around 60 years old. He also shed light on a few staff being told in that same aspect from the other players- perhaps indicating the ‘Bauna’ word coming from Jasprit Bumrah in Kolkata.

“Comments made by the coach came to me this morning. I was focused on the 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. But in this series, certain guys have also crossed the line. Not saying coach crossed the line, but he will surely think about it.” Bavuma said in the presser.

Temba Bavuma douses flames on Shukri Conrad’s ‘grovel’ comment during IND vs SA 2nd Test

India could bat only a couple of sessions in the fourth innings of the second Guwahati Test and fell short of the target by 408 runs, with Ravindra Jadeja being the only star performer of the game, celebrating a fine half-century.

“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. There were a few factors. We obviously were looking at how best we are going to use the new ball, so that in the morning, we still get a newish, hard ball.” Conrad addressed the presser.

“There were a few factors. We obviously were looking at how best we are going to use the new ball, so that in the morning, we still get a newish, hard ball. We felt that when the shadows come across the pitch in the evening.” The Protea head coach expressed.