Bhubaneswar: The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) has announced a 26-member squad for coaching ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind, with four players from Odisha making the cut. Debaraj Behera, Pankaj Bhue, Sukhram Majhi, and Nakula Badanayak, along with 22 others, will attend a coaching camp in New Delhi starting from October 27, as they prepare for the prestigious tournament.
The squad was selected by the committee based on players’ recent performances and experience. Among the 26 players, 10 are from the B1 category (totally blind), seven from the B2 category (up to 2 meters sight), and nine from the B3 category (up to 6 meters sight). After the camp, the selection committee will finalize a 17-member squad to represent India in the 4th T20 World Cup for the Blind, set to be held in Pakistan.
CABI is awaiting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Sports and the Government of India, which will allow the Indian team to travel for the event. This marks the first time the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) is organizing the T20 World Cup, with the previous three editions having been hosted in India by CABI and the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled.
India’s blind cricket team has a remarkable track record, winning all three previous T20 World Cups—twice against Pakistan (in 2012 and 2017) and once against Bangladesh in 2022. The upcoming World Cup presents another significant opportunity for India’s blind cricketers to showcase their talents on the international stage.
Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, Chairman of CABI, expressed optimism about the team’s prospects, stating, “The World Cup is the biggest platform for blind cricketers to exhibit their skills. Representing the country in Pakistan is a rare opportunity. We are confident that the Ministry of Sports will grant the NOC soon, ensuring that the team is ready to defend our title and continue being World Champions.”
Earlier this year, India participated in a Triangular Series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, emerging victorious in the series held at the ICC Cricket Ground in Dubai, UAE.
The 4th T20 World Cup is set to begin with an inauguration on November 22, and the final will take place on December 3, which coincides with International Day of Persons with Disabilities.