Guwahati, Nov 25 (NationPress) The head coach of South Africa, Shukri Conrad, provided a candid and impactful rationale for his team's decision to declare late: they aimed for India to "spend as much time on their feet" as possible, compelling them into a lengthy, draining chase during the fading light. An hour into the final session, the Proteas declared after boosting their second-innings lead to 548, setting India up with a daunting target and just 15.5 overs remaining before the conclusion of Day 4 in the Guwahati Test. Notably, South Africa has not clinched a Test series in India since 2000.

To illustrate their strategy, Conrad referenced the famous "grovel" remark made by former England captain Tony Greig during the 1976 series against the West Indies. While this comment ignited the Caribbean team, it was repurposed here to elucidate South Africa's approach.

“And then, obviously, we wanted the Indians 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 the game, and then say to them ‘Come and survive on the last day and an hour this evening,’” Conrad stated following the day's play. “So, so far so good, but we also know that they're not just going to roll over, we're going to have to be at our very best in the morning.”

Conrad highlighted that cricket logic and match awareness—especially the advantage of bowling in the evening shadows—were key factors in their decision to delay the declaration.

“We obviously looked at how best we were going to use the new ball, because in the morning we still wanted a newish, hardish ball,” he detailed. “What we felt is that when the shadows come across the wicket in the evening, there's something in it for the quick bowlers, so we didn't want to declare too early and not be able to utilize that.”

The Proteas believed they had earned the right to dictate terms, leading 1-0 in the two-Test series, and with India having scant chance of chasing down even 418, which is the all-time record for fourth-innings runs. The visitors have dominated the Guwahati Test from the first day, and Conrad stressed the importance of striving for a 2–0 series victory.

“I don't think there's a right and a wrong in anything,” he remarked. “We wanted India to come out again after lunch and spend time on their feet. We witnessed the impact of batting for two full days in the first innings and how it affected them. It was going to be challenging for the opening batters to come this evening, with the new ball and shadows across the wicket. We felt we could capitalize there.”

He added that South Africa was aiming for a decisive series outcome, rather than merely safeguarding their lead.

“If tomorrow evening comes and we have them eight down and people say, ‘Well, see, you told you so’… we've got to base it on our sound judgement and if that doesn't work out, it doesn't. I don't think there's a right and wrong in any of this but obviously, 2-0 is a lot better than 1-0. I'd like to think that the series is secured and we're going to go all out for the win.”

Conrad acknowledged that the pitch had "remained remarkably good" for batting deep into the fourth day, but he is still hopeful that South Africa's varied attack can take down India once more.

“I’d like to believe that tomorrow Marco and the spinners can do the job. We're going to give it our best shot,” he declared.

India was dismissed in 83.5 overs due to Marco Jansen's steep bounce, which earned him 6 for 48 in the first innings. However, for the first time, South Africa's strategy across the subcontinent has emphasized its spinners.

South Africa has embraced spin like never before during its tours of India and Pakistan. Simon Harmer is the series' joint-leading wicket-taker, while Senuran Muthusamy, who amassed 11 wickets in Lahore, was named player of the series. In two of their last four Test matches, the Proteas have even deployed three spinners, marking a significant shift in their cricketing identity.

“For the first time, we've thrown our weight behind spin bowlers,” Conrad remarked. “We have quality spinners who can compete with the best in the world, and I believe we've achieved the right balance in our side.”

He hopes this transformation will not only yield results but also inspire the next generation of bowlers back home.

“The big thing for me is that it provides hope for young spinners back in South Africa, where we were predominantly seen as a nation that solely supports fast bowling. I'd like to believe that the young spinners back home are feeling optimistic now, as spinners are also a crucial part of the Proteas' attack.”