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Rabada speaks out on transformation

todayJuly 31, 2024 93

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Kagiso Rabada of South Africa during day one of the International Test Series 2023/24 game between South Africa and India at Newlands Cricket Ground on 3 January 2024 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Proteas bowler, Kagiso Rabada, says he did not feel any pressure over being the only black player in the South African squad at the recently concluded T20 World Cup.

Rob Walter’s squad sparked widespread conversation when Rabada was named as the only black player in the team. It was the first time that a Proteas World Cup squad had only one black player since 2016.

However, Rabada said that bearing that burden “didn’t put any more pressure on me at all”. Instead, he embraced his role and encouraged a broader discussion on issues of transformation.

“I’m a black player, yes. If I don’t feel like I should have been there on merit and if people don’t feel that way, then it’s fine. I’m not invincible. I can be dropped as well but I believe in myself,” he said.

In a press conference, the 29-year old was asked whether he was aware of the focus being put on the the black African contingent – and whether that created more expectation on him.

“It didn’t put any more pressure on me at all. It would be such a heavy thought, during a World Cup, thinking about yourself being the only black player in a team. That seems like torture for me. That just takes away from focus,” Rabada said in response.

The bowler says he would like to be judged on his performances rather than the colour of his skin.

“You ask yourself, what are some of these factors that might make a player feel that way, and it’s factors such as we lost because of transformation or because we had to include players of colour or black Africans. And that always happens in World Cups,” he said.

“When we’re winning series and we’re winning or losing other games, it’s not so much of an issue, so that’s where it might be a bit inconsistent. And if you ask yourself truthfully, looking back in the past, have we not won a World Cup because of transformation? You know, I mean, like, really? So sometimes things can get blown out of proportion,” he added.

Written by: Ntsako Mukhari

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