Kagiso Rabada Satisfied With South Africa's Decision Not To Take The Knee; But Will Always Support BLM

Despite South Africa deciding against taking the knee to in their upcoming home white-ball series against England, South African speedster Kagiso Rabada expressed no conflict. Kagiso Rabada, who has strongly supported the movement in the past, has still given his backing; however, stands by the team’s decision of not taking the knee. The Proteas’ home summer kicks off on Friday with the first of the three T20Is in Cape Town.

It was South Africa’s head coach Mark Boucher, who announced the decision of not taking the knee since they did it during their 3TC match. Mark Boucher spoke to seamer Lungi Ngidi, who has spearheaded the movement and Ngidi was content in whatever efforts they have taken thus far. The former keeper-batsman emphasized that the prohibition of racial discrimination is something to have to keep practising. However, the team could wear black armbands.

Kagiso Rabada said that the Black Lives Matter movement (BLM) is always something he will support; however, it was the team’s decision not to kneel. The 25-year old mentioned that the campaign would forever remain relevant and he remains in line with the outfit’s decision of not taking the knee.

“Black Lives Matter is one-hundred percent something I will always stand for and I speak for myself. It was a team decision not to kneel and to look at gender-based violence and devote ourselves to another cause. However, Black Lives Matter will always be relevant and something I will always believe in and I speak for myself there. But, Mark has stated that the team will not be kneeling and that’s how it’s going to be,” Rabada said as quoted by India Today.

You’ve basically lost your freedom: Kagiso Rabada

The Johannesburg-born cricketer, who was the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2020, has labelled the bio-secure bubbles as ‘luxury prison’. While Rabada lamented the loss of freedom at such times, he was thankful that, unlike most, they have the means to earn their living by doing what they love.

“You’ve basically lost your freedom. It’s almost like luxury prisons that we’re in. You have to remind yourself that we are fortunate. People have lost their jobs, people are struggling at the moment. So I just try remind myself that we must be grateful for the opportunity that has been given to us. First of all to earn some money, and second of all to do what we love,” the right-arm speedster added.

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