The South African head coach, Shukri Conrad's, recent comments about wanting to make the Indian team "grovel" during the second Test in Guwahati have ignited a firestorm of criticism from former Indian cricketers. With India on the brink of losing the series after a disastrous performance on day four, the timing of Conrad's statement has been deemed disrespectful and unnecessary.

The controversy erupted after South Africa set India a daunting target of 549 runs to win the second Test. When questioned about the decision to bat deep into the fourth day, Conrad said he wanted India to "really grovel... Bat them completely out the game and then say to them well come and survive on the last day and an hour this evening". These remarks, laden with historical racial undertones, have not been well received by the Indian cricketing fraternity.

Anil Kumble, the former Indian captain and coach, did not hold back in his criticism. "It's completely uncalled for," Kumble stated, emphasizing that such language has no place in cricket. He further added, "Regardless of the situation in the game, there's a certain respect that needs to be there. It should hurt India, and they should channel that hurt into their performance".

Cheteshwar Pujara, known for his resilience and calm demeanor, echoed Kumble's sentiments. "You can be aggressive, you can play hard, but there's no need to use such words," Pujara asserted. He stressed the importance of maintaining respect between teams, regardless of the on-field rivalry. Pujara had also recently criticized the Indian team after their loss in the first Test, stating that the team needs to be well-prepared irrespective of the surface and that the batters need to be more proactive.

The term "grovel" carries a particularly sensitive history in cricket. In 1976, the then-England captain Tony Greig used the same word against the West Indies, which caused immense outrage due to its racial connotations. Greig later issued a public apology, acknowledging the offense caused by his words.

Parthiv Patel, another former Indian cricketer, expressed his shock and disappointment at Conrad's choice of words. "There was a smirk on his face when he said it," Patel noted, suggesting that Conrad was fully aware of the implications of his statement. Patel anticipates an apology from the South African coach on the final day of the Test.

The incident has added fuel to the already intense battle between the two teams. South Africa is currently in a commanding position in the second Test, and a victory would secure their first series win in India since 2000. However, Conrad's comments have now added an extra layer of motivation for the Indian team, who will be eager to prove their mettle and salvage some pride.

As play resumes on the final day, India faces a herculean task to save the Test and the series. They are tottering at 27-2, needing another 522 runs to win. The pitch is deteriorating, and the South African bowlers are exploiting the conditions effectively. The highest successful run chase in Test cricket was West Indies' 418 against Australia in 2003, while India's highest chase was 406 against West Indies in 1976.

Whether India can pull off a miraculous escape remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: the "grovel" comment has stirred up a hornet's nest and added significant spice to this already high-stakes Test series. The Indian team will be looking to exact revenge on the field and demonstrate that words can be far more damaging than any on-field battle.