Temba Bavuma, the South African captain, criticised the pressure placed on the men’s squad during the 2021 T20 World Cup to kneel in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The South African team was embroiled in controversy midway through the tournament. When the country’s cricket board (CSA) forced. The players to take a knee before their game against the West Indies and the rest of the tournament’s games. Quinton de Kock originally declined and was forced to sit out the game against the Caribbean team.
“As a South African cricket side we’ve been put under immense pressure. Around this whole topic more than any other international teams, more than any other of our local teams, for whatever reason that may be,” said Bavuma
“I think the work, the effort that has gone in behind the scenes. Not enough attention or acknowledgement has been given to our team. Probably because of the fact that people from the outside don’t get to see or hear the conversations that we have. Sometimes the pressure that is mounted on us is a bit unfair.” he added
CSA has given players a variety of ways to show their support for the anti-racism movement at first. Players might either raise their fists or stand with their hands behind their backs. That was the situation until the World Cup. When the board decided to issue a rule requiring players to kneel before games.
Quinton de Kock
The cricketing community was divided by Quinton de Kock’s rejection, with some criticising the keeper-batsman and others praising his decision. Later, the 28-year-old apologized and stated that he would repeat the gesture in the future.
Temba Bavuma went on to say that it was critical. That people should not just make the gesture for the sake of it. But also worked to promote racial equality in their daily lives.
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