Champions in the shadows, forgotten by the spotlight

India’s blind cricketers are charting success stories globally bringing home many a World Cup but remain unseen and unsung heroes, finds Lakumalla Sainath

Four months after the Indian women’s blind cricket team won the inaugural T20 Women’s World Cup, the applause has faded, as the players’ lives remain largely unchanged.

For most blind cricketers, many from economically weaker backgrounds, victories bring only temporary relief through govt rewards.
They still make do with poor training facilities and a sporting ecosystem without long-term support. Their experience reflects the reality of Indian blind cricket: success has brought recognition, but structural change, financial security and institutional backing remain out of sight.
Financial security eludes players

The same is the case with men’s blind cricket too. Former India captain Ajay Kumar Reddy led India to three World Cup titles and is the only skipper in blind cricket to guide his team to a hat-trick of global trophies across formats. In 2023, he received the Arjuna Award, yet outside blind cricket circles, his achievements remain little known. A native of Macherla in AP, Ajay played over 100 matches, in which he scored 15 centuries and 35 half-centuries and took over 200 wickets in a decade-long career.

A B2 all-rounder, he debuted in 2010 on India’s tour of England and became captain in 2016. Under him, India won the 2017 Blind T20 World Cup, the 2018 Blind Cricket World Cup in ODI format and the 2022 Blind T20 World Cup. Ajay retired in Feb 2023 but says players’ lives have not changed in proportion to their achievements, while incomes remain a pittance.
Contrast to mainstream cricket
For every international match, blind cricketers receive ₹3,000 per head, while domestic matches or tournaments bring ₹1,000. This is a far cry from what mainstream cricketers under BCCI earn. There is also no pension system for retired blind cricketers. Though BCCI introduced equal match fees for its men’s and women’s players, blind cricket, outside its direct structure, lacks similar backing.

No long-term support, financial security
Blind cricket players say many are left to rebuild their lives after years of representing India. Ajay, now deputy manager with SBI in Vijayawada and coach of AP men’s and women’s blind teams, says the issue is not talent. “What players need is structure, consistent tournaments & financial support.”

Current India men’s captain T Durga Rao, a B3 player from Visakhapatnam, says livelihood remains uncertain even after representing the country.

“I completed my degree and currently I’m preparing for competitive exams, but there are few opportunities for blind cricketers,” Durga Rao says.

Women champs still await real change
The women’s team, despite becoming world champions, faces similar issues. In Nov 2025, India defeated Nepal by seven wickets in the final at Colombo, chasing 114 for 5 in 12.1 overs to finish unbeaten. The team beat Australia again in the semi-finals. Yet the victory did not create a stable sporting ecosystem.

The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), India says it has nearly 30,000 registered blind men a n d women cricketers.

No structured calendar
Unlike mainstream cricket, blind cricket lacks a structured domestic calendar and regular training facilities. Captain Deepika TC, a B3 player from Tambalahatti in Sri Sathya Sai district of AP, says the World Cup changed how people viewed her and her family. Before the victory, many did not even know blind cricketers competed internationally.

The recognition brought financial help that allowed her family to clear her father’s debt. It also brought the 23-year-old respect.
Deepika scored 246 in five games during the tournament, including 91 off 58 balls against Australia in the semi-finals. But she says long-term financial stability remains the larger concern. “Many of my teammates are still facing financial hardships.”

Her teammate Simranjeet Kaur, a B2 all-rounder from Kota, says she has yet to receive any financial reward from her state government.
“Unlike other states, Rajasthan govt has not announced any reward or support. I’ve written letters to the chief minister but there has been no response,” says Kaur.

Seeking recognition beyond sympathy
Men’s team coach Md Ibrahim says one of the biggest barriers is perception. “People often watch blind cricket with sympathy. If they watch it as sport or entertainment, they will be surprised by the quality of shots these players play.” He notes that in Australia, England and Pakistan, blind cricket operates under their respective boards, helping players receive structured support and contracts.

CABI chief Mahantesh GK acknowledges that long-term financial security remains a challenge. “We understand that players who have represented the country should have some form of long-term security. We are exploring ways to create a structured support system for former players, but it depends largely on the resources available,” he says, adding that organising tournaments and supporting players often depends on raising funds independently. “Even the World Cup was organised through our own efforts.”

Mahantesh also supports exhibition matches during major tournaments such as the IPL or WPL to increase visibility.

Sporting infrastructure woefully inadequate
Infrastructure remains inadequate. The women’s circuit is still limited to T20 tourneys like the Nagesh Trophy, with ODI formats yet to be introduced.

Deepika says training is inconsistent : “We usually get about 15 days of practice before matches. When I am home, I work in the fields and try to maintain my fitness.” Travel and accommodation costs make it difficult to balance cricket and work. Deepika secured a job as multi-tasking staff in the I-T department in Mumbai in 2024 and hopes for a posting closer to home.

For others, training depends on local support. P Karuna Kumari, a B1 player from Vantlamamidi village in Paderu of ASR district in AP, says that when there are no tournaments, players often practise at school grounds.

“We train at the school where a PE teacher guides us,” says Karuna, who scored 42 against Nepal in the final. She is writing her Class X exams.
Deepika and Kaur say bringing CABI under the BCCI umbrella could bring with it regular fees, pensions and better infra. “Now, I practice on a small ground. We were told that we would get access to BCCI-affiliated stadiums, but there is no clarity yet,” Kaur says.

Uncertainty surrounds future tournaments. Women’s team manager Shikha Shetty says national camps are organised for major tournaments, but between competitions, players are largely left to train individually. In Feb this year, BCCI announced a “structured support” framework for CABI, including travel support for overseas matches, accommodation for bilateral series and access to affiliated stadiums. Players describe it as a first step.

While players seek more integration with BCCI, CABI officials maintain that the body will continue to function independently, with ongoing support from the board aimed at strengthening infrastructure and logistics.

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