India's Blind Women Cricketers Aim for Glory in Historic T20 World Cup

India's blind women's cricket team is making headlines as they compete in the first-ever Blind Women's T20 World Cup. These remarkable athletes have overcome many obstacles to reach this stage, coming from rural villages, farming families, and small towns. Many of them only started playing cricket in recent years, learning the sport through schoolteachers, disability organizations, or community camps. The tournament began on November 11 in Delhi and features six teams: India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, and the USA. After some matches in Bengaluru, the knockout rounds are now being held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Indian squad consists of 16 players from nine different states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Delhi, Assam, and Bihar. Most of the players had to overcome language and cultural barriers, and some families and teachers were hesitant to let them pursue cricket. Learning the rules of blind cricket was also a challenge, but now the team competes with pride. Blind cricket is played with a plastic ball that contains metal bearings, which make a jingling sound. Players are grouped by their level of vision: B1 (fully blind), B2, and B3. Teams must include players from all three categories. The ball is bowled underarm along the ground, and B1 batters use runners for safety, with each run they score counting as two. India has performed exceptionally well, winning all five of their matches and becoming the first team to qualify for the semi-finals. The team is led by Deepika TC, who lost her sight as a baby due to an accident. Growing up in a farming family in Karnataka, Deepika was introduced to cricket at a specialized school, where teachers encouraged her to try the sport despite her initial hesitation. Over time, cricket gave her confidence and a sense of purpose. Leading India in the World Cup is a significant achievement for her, and she hopes to match the success of the sighted Indian women's team, which won the World Cup earlier this month. Deepika has received support from prominent players like Jemimah Rodrigues and Shubman Gill, which has been very meaningful to her. Vice-captain Ganga Kadam from Maharashtra comes from a family of nine siblings. Her father enrolled her in a school for the blind to ensure a stable future. Ganga played cricket casually until a mentor encouraged her to take it seriously. Learning to rely on sound, timing, and orientation was difficult, but her persistence paid off. Now, she inspires other visually impaired girls in her village to participate in sports. Another key player is Anekha Devi, a 20-year-old from Jammu and Kashmir who was born partially blind. Her uncle, who is also visually impaired, encouraged her to attend a blind cricket camp in Delhi after finishing school. Although the early sessions were overwhelming, Anekha quickly adapted and impressed her coaches with her understanding of the audible ball system. Within two years, she joined the national team and now aims to be a role model for others. Phula Saren, an 18-year-old all-rounder from a tribal community in Odisha, lost vision in her left eye at the age of five and her mother soon after. She discovered cricket through a teacher at her school for the blind. Traveling to tournaments and convincing her family to support her was challenging, but she persevered. Her most significant moment was realizing she belonged at the national level, not just winning a trophy. Sunita Sarathe from Madhya Pradesh took a different path, completing college and exploring various jobs before joining a blind cricket camp on a friend's recommendation. Although the sport felt fast and complicated, she continued training and is now one of India's most reliable fielders. The World Blind Cricket Council, based in London, has overseen blind cricket since 1996. While the men's game has a longer history, this year marks the first-ever women's Blind Cricket World Cup. The Cricket Association for the Blind in India was established in 2011, and systematic scouting for a women's team began in 2019. The team played its first international match in 2023 and won a gold medal at the IBSA World Games in Birmingham. Mahantesh GK, chairperson of the association, emphasized the importance of providing equal opportunities for visually impaired women. Organizing the tournament required significant effort, including securing funding and teams, but the response from governments, sponsors, and the public has been remarkable. The semifinals and final will take place in Colombo, with the final scheduled for Sunday. All matches are streamed live on CABI's YouTube channel and state-run platforms, while India's games are also broadcast on national television, increasing the sport's visibility. Coach Shetty believes that this exposure will encourage more families to support their daughters in pursuing cricket, making it a more familiar and accepted path.

India's blind women's cricket team is inspiring countless girls across the country to dream big and pursue sports, regardless of the challenges they face.

Their journey demonstrates the power of determination, support, and the belief that anything is possible.