South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock took the knee in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement opposing racism ahead of the match against Sri Lanka. He had withdrawn from South Africa's last match against the West Indies in Dubai after refusing to take the knee.
Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma said De Kock had opted out of the playing XI due to "personal reasons". Cricket South Africa (CSA) soon sent out a statement saying they have "noted the personal decision by De Kock not to take the knee".
De Kock apologized to his teammates on Thursday (October 28) and said that he will take the knee for the remainder of the T20 World Cup 2021. "I would like to start by saying sorry to my teammates, and the fans back home.
"I never ever wanted to make this a Quinton issue. I understand the importance of standing against racism, and I also understand the responsibility of us as players to set an example.
"If me taking a knee helps to educate others, and makes the lives of others better, I am more than happy to do so," he said in a statement released.
Here's the video:
