The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 is a huge move forward in the ICC and other cricket boards’ backing for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. So far, many countries have taken the knee to express and applaud their support for the initiative. Also, we have seen both sides do something identical in the India-Pakistan match, Whereas the Indian player’s knee, the Pakistani players kept their hands on their chests to demonstrate their solidarity. However, but when comes to South Africa, the subject becomes a little more complicated. With the exception of Quinton de Kock, the majority of the teammates have taken the knee in previous matches. When he opted out of the crucial match against the West Indies, the rumors emerged.
The scenario happened when fans and analysts noticed that de Kock never takes a knee. It had been a point of controversy for some period, but it had become an issue on the global stage. Just after CSA issued a statement instructing all players to take a knee, the information of de Kock’s absence became public.
🇿🇦 Cricket South Africa believes success both on the field and beyond the boundary will be guaranteed if all South Africans stand united to build a new innings based on the pillars of inclusivity, access and excellence.
➡️ Full statement: https://t.co/j9MDE1Ct1Z pic.twitter.com/WjRlZ8SmUG
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) October 26, 2021
Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik tweeted that De Kock’s refusal to take a knee might be the reason he does not play in the SA versus WI match. De Kock has never taken a knee before, but he has always maintained that everyone should be able to make their own decision. Therefore, with the CSA issuing a clear instruction to make it necessary, and then de Kock withdrawing, assumptions had to surface.
Quinton de Kock not playing because of his stand on BLM movement 😳#BlackLivesMatter #SAvsWI #worldT20 pic.twitter.com/LqC76QKCL3
— DK (@DineshKarthik) October 26, 2021
At this time, it is unknown whether the wicketkeeper-batsman, who is an important element of the team, will continue with the campaign. Heinrich Klaasen was handed the gloves, whereas Reeza Hendricks was put in as an opener to replace de Kock. At this time, his future in the competition is unknown. Notably, Klaasen, who had earlier refused to take the knee, did so following the CSA rule.
When in an online news conference on June 12, this year, following South Africa’s Test series against the Windies in St Lucia, de Kock refused to reveal his motive, saying, “My reason? I’ll keep it to myself. It’s my own, personal opinion. It’s everyone’s decision; no one’s forced to do anything, not in life. That’s the way I see things.”
