Bavuma became the first South African captain to win a Test series in India after 25 years.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma downplayed Shukri Conrad's contentious remarks that he wanted India to "really grovel" on Wednesday, stating that the head coach "will have a look at his comments."
Conrad told the reporters, "We wanted to make India grovel," as he justified the Proteas' late declaration call.
Conrad made the comments after the end of the fourth day's play in the second Test, with his team in a commanding position to win their first Test series in India in 25 years.
The remark sparked heated reactions from Indian followers on social media. Former Indian cricketers Anil Kumble, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Aakash Chopra were all upset with the phrase. Even Conrad's countryman, ex-pacer Dale Steyn, criticized the Proteas coach for his statement.
"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," Bavuma said at the post-match press conference when asked about the comment that sparked a controversy.
When prodded further, Bavuma referred to Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant calling him “Bauna,” or someone of short height, during the first Test in Kolkata and stated that there were many players who crossed the line, and the South Africa coach will do his own introspection about his remarks.
"But in this series, certain guys have also crossed the line. Not saying the coach crossed the line, but he will surely think about it,” Bavuma added.
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 arrived 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.
(PTI inputs)