Temba Bavuma added, “In this series certain guys have also crossed the line,” in reference to Jasprit Bumrah’s “bauna” remark regarding the South Africa captain’s height during the first Test in Kolkata.
Temba Bavuma, the captain of South Africa, dismissed Shukri Conrad’s contentious statement that he wanted India to “really grovel” on Wednesday by stating that the head coach “will have a look at his comments.” Legends Anil Kumble and Dale Steyn, two former South African and Indian players, have voiced anger with Conrad’s use of the historical term “grovel” to characterize Proteas’ domination in the just finished 2-0 Test series.
I received the coach’s remarks this morning. I didn’t have time to talk to him because I was preoccupied with the game. When asked about the remark that caused uproar, Bavuma responded, “Shukri is almost sixty years old and he will have a look at his comments.”
Bavuma continued, “But in this series certain guys have also crossed the line,” in reference to Jasprit Bumrah’s “bauna” remark on the South Africa captain’s height during the first Test in Kolkata. I’m not saying the coach went too far, but he will definitely give it some thought.”
The word “grovel” has a cricketing connotation for those who are not familiar with it.
In a pre-series interview, English captain Tony Greig stated, “… I intend to make them (West Indies) grovel,” when the West Indies landed in England for a Test series in 1976 as overwhelming favorites. In the series, the West Indies defeated England 5-0 and humiliated Greig.
After entering the match with a 30-run victory in Kolkata, South Africa finished a 2-0 series sweep of India with a 408-run crushing of the hosts in the second Test here.
With his team in a strong position to win their first Test series in India in 25 years, Conrad made the remarks following the conclusion of the fourth day of play in the second Test.
