T20 World Cup 2021: Quinton de Kock takes a knee ahead of Sri Lanka clash, Twitterati react

After a lot of hullabaloo, Quinton de Kock finally returned in South Africa’s playing XI for the clash against Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup 2021. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter had missed the last fixture against West Indies due to his stand over taking the knee. Cricket South Africa has made it mandatory for its players to kneel before the match in order to showcase solidarity towards the Black Lives Matter (BLM) moment.

As De Kock didn’t want to follow the directive, he chose to pull of the West Indies match minutes before the toss. The southpaw was highly criticized and reports emerged that he might not play for South Africa ever again. However, the Proteas side breathed a sigh of relief as De Kock, in a statement, apologized to fans and clarified his decision. He also pledged to take a knee in the upcoming clashes.

Subsequently, he was back in the fore for the clash against Sri Lanka. As per his promise, the dashing opener was also seen taking a knee just before the start of the game. Supporters of the BLM campaign were delighted by De Kock’s gesture as social media got flooded with praises for the southpaw.

 

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Black lives have mattered since I was born: Quinton de Kock

For the unversed, the veteran cricketer stated that that CSA’s directive made him feel as if his “rights were taken away”. The 28-year-old also said black lives mattered to him right from his childhood and his refusal to take the knee wasn’t to hurt anyone’s sentiments.

“I did not, in any way, mean to disrespect anyone by not playing against the West Indies, especially the West Indies team themselves. We were previously told we had the choice to do what we felt we wanted to do. I chose to keep my thoughts to myself,” De Kock said in a statement released by Cricket South Africa.

“I didn’t understand why I had to prove it with a gesture, when I live and learn and love people from all walks of life every day. For me, Black lives have mattered since I was born. Not just because there was an international movement,” he added.

Meanwhile, let’s look at how Twitterati reacted to Quinton de Kock taking a knee against Sri Lanka:

From disrespecting Black Lives Matter to taking a knee. SA cricketer Quinton de Kock is still white, still protected by white privilege. #quintondekock took a knee but no fist power was done. It’s only halfway for Quinton de Kock pic.twitter.com/tvYtwTQKGW

— cheryl roberts (@cherylroberts00) October 30, 2021

De Kock take Knee 😁#quintondekock #SAvsSL #Cricket pic.twitter.com/6LhTPbzuGf

— sYed KhaliQ (@YKhaliqH_7) October 30, 2021

If
"They forced me" had a face.

😔
Respect increased for Quinton.✊#BlackLivesMatter #quintondekock pic.twitter.com/NyqhEWdAaO

— A K S H A Y ⁴⁵⚡ (@HitmanEraa) October 30, 2021

That's how they force, break and bend you for not conforming with their propaganda….#quintondekock #qdk #SLvsSA #SAvSL #t20worldcup2021 #icc pic.twitter.com/b9AbDwCanV

— श्रद्धा | Shraddha 🇮🇳 (@immortalsoulin) October 30, 2021

QDK taking the knee vs Sri Lanka. #SLvsSA #quintondekock pic.twitter.com/dDnc0I236b

— Nirmit Mehta (@NirmitMehta10) October 30, 2021

Camera Full Focus On Quinton De Kock Knee. #SAvSL #T20WorldCup #Quintondekock

— Ajay (@being21ajay) October 30, 2021

#quintondekock#SAvSL #SouthAfrica #SriLanka #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ACe1sP8G7o

— The Great One (@Kash786787) October 30, 2021

Now we talk!!!#quintondekock
Taking the knee!#BLM pic.twitter.com/mALewJQZTi

— Qasim Ali (@Qasim1856Tweets) October 30, 2021

QDK takes a knee. It is for the benefit of the team that he is back. Good on you, Quinton! #RsaVsSriLanka #CWC #quintondekock #rsa #sscricket pic.twitter.com/rBdYZDZxfq

— NomadMan (@rosco_good) October 30, 2021

Quinton de Kock returns as he took the knee before Sri Lanka game #SlvsSA #BLM #quintondekock pic.twitter.com/9pcWtxGxZb

— Anjana Kaluarachchi (@Anjana_CT) October 30, 2021