Education Is The Only Way To Free Yourself From Racism

It is not easy to return from a long break and bowl brilliantly in your first game, even more so in the Super Over that sealed your team’s win. Kagiso Rabada did just that in the Delhi Capitals’ first match of the new Indian Premier League season. The 25-year-old South African has been the pace spearhead of his country for a few years now. He shoulders a similar responsibility in DC’s pursuit of an elusive IPL title.

- Neeru Bhatia

Rabada is representing South African cricket during one of its worst phases. The national cricket board’s coffers are dry and it has been taken over by the national Olympic association; the board is facing allegations of financial mismanagement, corruption and racism. As the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement picked up around the world, the cricketing world was not left untouched. And, a storm is on in South Africa, with the country still struggling to overcome the scars of apartheid.

It started with fast bowler Lungisani Ngidi stating that South Africa must take a stand on BLM like rest of the world, leading to several retired stars making public their experiences of discrimination as players. Their voices reiterated the fact that despite South Africa’s quota for coloured players in its cricket teams, inequality persists in terms of opportunities at every level.

In an interview with THE WEEK, Rabada shares his thoughts on the sensitive BLM movement and the need to educate society on racism. He also expresses how grateful he is to be able to play cricket at a time like this. Excerpts:

How does it feel to be in the IPL bio-bubble?

It feels surreal that we cannot leave the hotel. But you learn to look at the positives. The threat of Covid-19 is real. This [bubble] gives us a chance to bond with each other.

Having played no competitive cricket in five months, how hard is it to get back in form for a T20 tournament that is tough on bowlers?