New Delhi, India – Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the Indian Blind Women’s Cricket Team following their victory at the Blind Women’s T20 World Cup, where the squad shared personal accounts of their journey and challenges during a meeting held this week.
The team recently secured the inaugural title after defeating Nepal by seven wickets in the final played in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The World Cup featured six countries, namely India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia and the United States, competing in a single round robin format before the final showdown.
Modi later wrote on X that meeting the team was a delight and described their stories as inspiring. Their win follows India’s earlier achievement in the Women’s One Day International World Cup, creating growing excitement among sports fans and disability sports advocates back home.
India chose to field first in the final, restricting Nepal to 114 runs for five wickets. The squad completed the chase within 12 overs while losing only three wickets. Blind cricket uses a plastic ball fitted with metal bearings that produce sound for players to track, and teams must field a mix of players categorised by visual capability. Bowlers deliver the ball underarm along the ground, while fully blind batters rely on runners for safety, with each run counted as two.
Leaders in blind cricket development said the victory will encourage more girls and persons with disabilities to pursue the sport. Chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar told the BBC that the triumph represents a boost for disability sports across the country. Bowler Simu Das, from a small village in Assam, said she hopes the team’s success motivates others who face similar barriers.
The team received a grand welcome in Chennai upon arrival on Monday, with another reception planned in Bengaluru later in the day. Their win drew praise from several political figures and cricket icons. Federal Minister Amit Shah called it a historic day for Indian sports, while former national captain Mithali Raj described the achievement as proof that no challenge is too big for determined talent. Former cricketer Yuvraj Singh also congratulated the team for demonstrating remarkable courage and skill.
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