Yes, I am black, that is color of my skin: Temba Bavuma rubbishes selection claims based on colour

South Africa team finally tasted victory in ODI cricket after a long time. The Proteas led by the newly appointed captain Quinton de Kock defeated England in the first match of the series in Cape Town. It was a superlative performance by a new look Proteas squad which has six uncapped players in their arsenal.

De Kock led from the front with a brilliant 107, while Temba Bavuma fell short of his own century by two runs, as South Africa chased down 259 runs with 14 balls to spare. Bavuma was making his come back into the ODI team after a long injury layout and celebrated with a match-winning knock and a good partnership with his captain. However, he was miffed with journalists seeing his performance through the eyes of transformation.

One thing that irks me is when you are seen through the eyes of transformation: Temba Bavuma

As per the rules of South Africa cricket, the national team must always field six players of their color, including two black Africans. Bavuma fulfilled one of those places in the team, with many on social media arguing that he was only in the playing XI due to the color of his skin. However, Bavuma refuted those claims vehemently.

“Yes, I am black, that’s my skin. But I play cricket because I love it. I’d like to think the reason I am in the team is because of performances I have put forward in my franchise side, and also for the national team, whenever I have been able to. The discomfort was there, having to navigate me around all those types of talks. Players get dropped; I am not the last guy to get dropped. That’s something we’ve come to accept,” he was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo

Bavuma was recalled into the national team last month for the fourth Test match against England. He mentioned it was hard because of the awkwardness and uncomfortability on his side is when thrown into talks of transformation.

“The one thing that irks me is when you are seen through the eyes of transformation. I have a serious problem with that. We’ve got to be able to take the good with the bad. If transformation is bad when black African players are not doing well, then when we are doing well, let’s also recognize transformation for what it’s done,” he further added.

Earlier, 87 from Joe Denly and contributions from Chris Woakes (40) and Jason Roy (32) took England to 258/8 in 50 overs. Tabraiz Shami picked 3/38 for the South African side. Rassie van der Dussen completed the formalities of the chase for Proteas with 38*.