South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad revealed that his team’s plan on Day 4 of the second Test in Guwahati was to make India “grovel” by setting the hosts a massive target of 549 runs. India are currently chasing this monumental total to save the Test and avoid a 0–2 series whitewash.
Conrad’s choice of words sparked interest, as he admitted he was borrowing a phrase from the infamous 1976 interview by late England captain Tony Greig before the series against Clive Lloyd’s West Indies.
“We wanted India to spend as much time on their feet out in the field. We wanted them to really grovel, to bat them completely out of the game and then say, ‘well, come and survive on the last day and the final hour this evening,’” Conrad explained during the post-play press conference.
He noted that the team deliberately batted for nearly 80 overs despite already having a substantial lead. The rationale, he said, was tactical: to tire Indian bowlers and take full advantage of conditions, especially the fading evening light, which assists fast bowlers.
“There were a few factors. We were looking at how best to use the new ball so that in the morning we still had a hard, newish ball,” Conrad said. “We felt that when shadows come across the pitch in the evening, there’s something in it for the pacers. So we didn’t want to declare too early and lose that advantage.”
Conrad also emphasized the strategy of testing India’s resilience, particularly after seeing the physical toll the first innings had on their bowlers. “Their bowlers spent a lot of time out there. We saw the effect of batting for two full days in the first innings and what it did to them,” he said.
He acknowledged that if India manages to save the match, critics might question the timing of South Africa’s declaration. “Some people would say we batted for too long. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong in this. We wanted India to come out after the second break and spend more time on their feet,” he added with a cheeky smile.
Conrad’s tactical approach reflects a combination of patience, strategic timing, and psychological pressure aimed at maximizing his team’s advantage while challenging India to respond under extreme circumstances.
(By PTI Inputs)
