India’s Blind Women Cricketers Chase History in First T20 World Cup Final: India’s blind women cricketers are on the brink of history. On Saturday, they defeated Australia by nine wickets to storm into the final of the inaugural Blind Women’s T20 World Cup. They will now face Nepal, who secured their spot after a commanding seven-wicket win over Pakistan. The much-awaited final will take place on Sunday at Colombo’s iconic P. Saravanamuttu Stadium, Sri Lanka’s oldest Test venue.
India Dominate Australia to Seal Final Berth
Australia posted 109-9 in 20 overs, with Chanakan Buakhao top-scoring with 34. India bowled with discipline, and notably, Simranjeet Kour delivered an excellent spell of 1-6 from two overs. Australia struggled throughout the innings, suffering six runouts that derailed their momentum.
In reply, India made a statement with the bat. Basanti Hansda led the chase with a fluent 45, while vice-captain Ganga Kadam added 41. K Karuna chipped in with 16 not out as India reached 112-1 in just 11.5 overs, confidently marching into the final.
Nepal Outclass Pakistan to Set Up Historic Finale
Earlier in the day, Nepal displayed superb all-round cricket. They restricted Pakistan to 169-6, despite Pakistan benefiting from 47 extras—Nepal’s highest score in the tournament so far due to wayward bowling.
Although Nepal lost two early wickets, their chase remained steady. Binita Pun smashed 46 off 23 balls before being dismissed hit wicket, and Susma Tamang remained unbeaten on 36 as Nepal cruised to victory with seven wickets in hand.
Pakistan’s Shumaila Kiran impressed with 1-10, but partner bowler Mehreen Ali went for 1-45, allowing Nepal to maintain control.
A Tournament Transforming Lives
Beyond the scores, the inaugural Blind Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup has spotlighted the extraordinary journeys of India’s visually impaired women cricketers. Many come from rural communities, farming households, and small-town hostels. Most discovered cricket only a few years ago, often through schoolteachers or blind-cricket outreach camps.
The tournament, which began on 11 November in Delhi and continued through Bengaluru before moving to Colombo, features six teams: India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, and the USA.
Deepika TC: Leading With Purpose
India’s captain Deepika TC, from Karnataka, lost her sight in infancy due to an accident. Growing up in a farming family, she never imagined sport would shape her future. Encouraged by teachers at specialised schools, she found confidence through cricket.
Calling the World Cup her “biggest moment,” she said she hopes to follow the victory of the sighted Indian women’s team, who won their World Cup earlier this month in Navi Mumbai. She also acknowledged the support of stars Jemimah Rodrigues and Shubman Gill, whose encouragement strengthened the squad’s morale.
Stories of Grit and Inspiration
Vice-captain Ganga Kadam, from a family of nine in Maharashtra, was enrolled in a blind school by her father for stability. Initially a casual player, she later embraced the sport seriously, learning to trust sound and timing. Her resilience now motivates many young girls in her village.
In Jammu and Kashmir, top-order batter Anekha Devi, 20, discovered blind cricket through her visually impaired uncle. Despite overwhelming early sessions, she mastered the audible-ball system quickly and earned a national cap within two years.
In Odisha, all-rounder Phula Saren, 18, overcame childhood trauma—losing vision in her left eye and later her mother—to find purpose in cricket. Travel challenges and family hesitation never deterred her. Her breakthrough came when she realised she belonged at the national level.
Meanwhile, Sunita Sarathe from Madhya Pradesh arrived late to the sport. After completing college and working various jobs, she attended a blind cricket camp on a friend’s suggestion. Coaches say her relentless training has made her one of India’s most dependable fielders.
A National Effort to Build a Team
India’s 16-member squad represents nine states: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Delhi, Assam, and Bihar.
“Most of the players come from rural backgrounds,” said team manager Shikha Shetty. “Language and culture were barriers, and families often hesitated to let them pursue cricket. Understanding the rules of blind cricket itself took time. But today, they compete with immense pride.”
Blind cricket uses a plastic ball fitted with metal bearings that create a jingle. Players fall under categories B1 (fully blind), B2, and B3, and teams must field a mix. The ball is bowled underarm along the ground, B1 batters use runners, and every run they score counts as two.
India’s Rise in Blind Women’s Cricket
The World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC), based in London, has governed the sport since 1996. Although the men’s game has a longer legacy—with World Cups dating back to 1998—the women’s format is still emerging globally.
India’s women’s blind cricket system is relatively young. The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), formed in 2011, began structured scouting only in 2019. The first international match came in 2023, followed by a gold medal at the IBSA World Games in Birmingham the same year.
“We knew it was unfair not to provide visually impaired women the same platform as men,” said Mahantesh GK, CABI chairperson. “Funding was a challenge, and bringing teams together was difficult. But we persisted. Today, the support from governments, sponsors, corporates, and the public is extraordinary. The future will be much bigger.”
A Final That Could Rewrite History
With India and Nepal set to clash on Sunday, the final promises to be more than a sporting contest. It is a tribute to resilience, representation, and the power of inclusive sport.
If India triumphs, the month could bring an unprecedented double: World Cup victories for both the sighted and visually impaired women’s cricket teams—an achievement that would inspire generations to come.
