The Virat Kohli-led Indian team on Sunday, October 24, extended their support to the 'Black Lives Matter' movement by taking the knee before their T20 World Cup match against arch-rivals Pakistan. Before the opening duo of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul walked out to bat, the Indian players were seen taking the knee outside the team dugout. Players of the Pakistan team, captained by Babar Azam, too paid a tribute by holding their right hand to their heart. Sportspersons, including cricketers across the world, have been taking the knee to show support to the movement against racism since the death of African-American George Floyd at the hands of police personnel in Minneapolis in May last year. The Indian team was making the gesture for the first time. England and the West Indies teams, along with the match officials, took a knee last summer during their three-match Test series, the first from the sport.
#T20WorldCup #INDvPAK #INDvsPAK
— TOI Sports (@toisports) October 24, 2021
India take the knee to show solidarity with Black Lives Matter movement
https://t.co/jIiLxMi45t pic.twitter.com/OMhcaR19I8
However, many on social media have criticised the Indian cricket team for remaining silent on the many issues back home in India.
Just learnt Indian team took the knee today, in solidarity with BLM. Good to know they're keeping themselves informed about current affairs in America. Perhaps one of these days they'll feel the urge to make a statement for those in India who are being marginalised and targeted. pic.twitter.com/NiMCayVjSk
— Deepanjana (@dpanjana) October 24, 2021
Seen on the TL, the rank hypocrisy of Indian cricketers who never once said #DalitLivesMatter, #MuslimLivesMatter, #FarmersLivesMatter, taking a knee for #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/n2gAMeknwg
— Dr Meena Kandasamy ¦¦ இளவேனில் (@meenakandasamy) October 24, 2021
Um....Muslim lives, Dalit lives, women's lives, Kashmiri lives, Indian lives? https://t.co/qfiCqpczIr
— Karuna Nundy (@karunanundy) October 24, 2021
They also questioned the silence of the Indian players over the abuses that bowler Mohammed Shami has been facing on his Instagram posts after India lost to Pakistan by 10 wickets, and asked the cricket team to stand behind their colleague and condemn the trolling.
Pakistan brought to an end India's near-three-decade domination in the world stage in the most convincing fashion, embarrassing their arch-rivals by 10 wickets in the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup on Sunday. Intent on breaking their run of losses, Pakistan restricted India to 151 for seven after electing to field in the T20 showpiece's blockbuster game. Pakistan then made light work of the target of 152, completing the win with 13 balls to spare. Mohammed Shami was later accused of “playing for Pakistan” by trolls on his Instagram account.
These are comments under Shami's Instagram post.From the very beginning I predicted this would happen if India lost the match. pic.twitter.com/5v9rZN0Nzw
— സ്പൾബർ കുഞ്ഞൂപ്പി (@vaikivannavan) October 24, 2021
After England's black players were targeted post Euro 2020, Harry Kane had told the racist fans that they're not needed.
— Parth MN (@parthpunter) October 24, 2021
Today, Mohammad Shami is being abused after India lost to Pakistan.
Time for India's Hindu players to stand up for their Muslim teammate.#INDvPAK
Team India needs to take the knee for Shami. Now.
— saliltripathi (@saliltripathi) October 24, 2021
Sanghis have started abusing Md. Shami after the loss.
— Abhishek Baxi (@baxiabhishek) October 24, 2021
After the racist attacks against few English players at Euro, the team came in support of them.
India's hockey skipper Rani Rampal criticized casteist remarks against a teammate.
Your move, @imVkohli and everyone else. pic.twitter.com/38Rx1BaA52
Sample Comments on Mohammad Shami’s Insta Page. Team India today took a knee for BLM. Can they stand up for their Team Mate? pic.twitter.com/6Ql2HQbiGJ
— Joy (@Joydas) October 24, 2021
Many also reminded the Indian team of the allegations made by Former West Indies captain Darren Sammy, who had shared that he faced racism during the Indian Premier League (IPL) from his fellow team members in SunRisers Hyderabad.
“I just learnt what that 'kalu' meant when I played for Sunrisers in the IPL. They call me and Perera by that name. I thought it meant strong Stallion. My previous post tells me something different and I'm angry," Sammy had written in an Instagram post in June 2020, asking the ICC to take action. His Instagram post had come following vociferous support to the Black Lives Matter movement from across the world after the killing of African-American George Floyd in the US.
One of the lot who called Darren Sammy “Kaalu” is taking stand on #BlackLivesMatter.
— Smriti Kannan (@smriti_kannan) October 24, 2021
Hypocrisy much.
T20 World Cup: India take the knee to show solidarity with Black Lives Matter movement | Cricket News - Times of India. https://t.co/3kk5wLGJa2
Meanwhile, Captain Virat Kohli said the move to take the knee was communicated to them by the management before the match.
With PTI inputs