Recognising the need to stand up against racism, Team India took a knee in the first game of the T20 World Cup against Pakistan. Along with them, all Pakistani players also joined in the gesture but by placing their hands on their hearts.
Earlier in yesterday’s game between England and West Indies, players on both sides took their knees and brought the issue of racism and fight against it on the world stage.
It was the first instance of India taking a knee at the world stage although the players such as Hardik Pandya has been doing the gesture in the Indian Premier League.
In the game, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and asked India to bat first on a truer surface at the Dubai International Stadium.
India picked Hardik Pandya as a specialist batsman and opted to play with Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the third seamer alongside Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami.