India celebrates as women lift T20 World Cup for the blind
India defeated Nepal to win the inaugural Blind Women's T20 World Cup
- Published
Indians are celebrating after the country's women cricketers won the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup for the blind.
India defeated Nepal by seven wickets in the final played in Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Sunday.
The victory, which came weeks after India won its first Women's One-Day International World Cup, is expected to provide a fillip to sportspersons with disabilities in the country.
The tournament featured six teams - India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia and the US - in a single round-robin.
India's captain Deepika Gaonkar (L) breaks down on Sunday after her team's victory
Blind cricket uses a plastic ball with metal bearings that jingle, and players are grouped by sight: B1 (fully blind), B2 and B3. Teams must field a mix of all three. The ball is bowled underarm along the ground. B1 batters use runners for safety, and each run they score counts as two.
In the final, India restricted Nepal to 114 runs for five wickets after opting to field first - and successfully covered the chase in just 12 overs, losing three wickets.
"This victory will encourage many women and many other persons with disabilities across India to pursue cricket and other sports," Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India, told the BBC.
The Indian team included players who had overcome immense challenges to find a spot in the squad. Many of them, coming from villages, farming families and small-town hostels, have learnt the sport only in the past few years.
"I hope our victory can inspire many more like us," bowler Simu Das, from a small village in northeast Assam state, told the BBC.
The team received a "grand welcome" in Chennai on Monday morning, with another reception planned at Bengaluru airport later in the afternoon, Mr Kivadasannavar said.
Many politicians and cricket legends shared their joy at the victory.
Calling it a "historic day for Indian sports", federal minister Amit Shah said: "Our Tiranga [tricolour] today flutters higher with pride at your achievement. Your triumph mirrors your resolve and dedication to win honours for the nation."
"Some victories remind us that no challenge is ever too big when talent refuses to be limited," Mithali Raj, former captain of the India women's cricket team, wrote in a post on X.
Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh posted: "Champions showcasing what's possible with sheer courage and skill. You have made the whole country proud."
The World Cup began on 11 November in Delhi. The venue then moved to the southern state of Karnataka and later to Sri Lanka.
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