Fashion designer Masaba Gupta recounted her father, legendary cricketer Sir Vivian Richards’ struggles with racism. Gupta opened up on how her father, the greatest West Indies cricketer, still gets emotional talking about the racism that he faced. Notably, the former West Indies captain Sir Vivian Richards is regarded as one of the greatest players to have ever played the game. The legendary batter played 121 Tests as well as 187 ODI matches for his side, and scored a whopping 8,540 runs and 6,721 runs for his national side.
Despite being one of the most successful cricketers, Sir Vivian Richards has time and again spoken about his stances with racism. Back in 1983, he and others turned down blank-cheque offers to play for a rebel West Indies squad in South Africa. Not only this, but in 1984, he once again stood for his race and people who couldn’t do it for themselves.
Till today, he will have tears in his eyes: Masaba Gupta reveals Vivian Richards challenges due to racism
The Indian fashion designer recounted Vivian Richards’ challenges he faced during his playing days due to his skin colour. Masaba went on to say that his experience with racism was so intense that he still gets emotional thinking about it. Masaba said, “Now I know why my father felt so strongly about it for so many years. Till today, if you ask him, he will have tears in his eyes or he will have this rage in him.”
He added, “He played professional cricket in a time where the colour of your skin came in the way of your ability to move ahead in the world. It’s there, everywhere. It will keep being spoken of until we fight for it, and it’s only going to happen if everybody fights for it.”