Champions In The Shadows, Forgotten By The Spotlight

Hyderabad: Three months after the Indian women's blind cricket team won the inaugural T20 Women's World Cup, the applause and felicitation ceremonies have faded, but the players' lives remain largely unchanged. For most blind cricketers, many from economically weaker backgrounds, victories bring only temporary relief through government rewards.They still face poor training infrastructure 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 playersThe 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 Andhra Pradesh (AP), Ajay played more than 100 matches, scored 15 centuries and 35 half-centuries, and took over 200 wickets in a career spanning more than a decade.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 February 2023 but says players' lives have not changed in proportion to their achievements. "During my playing days, financial stability was one of the biggest concerns. Every time I returned home after winning a tournament, I would have trophies in my bag, but not a single rupee in my pocket," he says.That disconnect between glory and security runs through both men's and women's blind cricket. For every international match, blind cricketers receive Rs 3,000 per head, while domestic matches or tournaments bring Rs 1,000. There is no pension system for retired blind cricketers. This is a far cry from what main stream cricketers under BCCI earn. Though BCCI has introduced equal match fees for its men's and women's players, blind cricket, outside its direct structure, lacks similar backing and long-term security.No long-term support, financial securityBlind cricket players and former captains say many are left to rebuild their lives after years of representing India. Ajay, now deputy manager with the State Bank of India in Vijayawada and coach of the AP men's and women's blind teams, says the issue is not talent. "What players need is proper structure, consistent tournaments and 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."Former India captain Shekhar Naik, a B2 player who led India to the 2012 Blind T20 World Cup and 2014 Blind Cricket World Cup titles, says financial insecurity has long defined the sport. Naik, from Shimoga in Karnataka, received the Padma Shri in 2017 and retired the same year. He recalls that when India won the 2012 Blind T20 World Cup, the total prize money for the 22-member squad was only Rs 2 lakh, leaving each player with roughly Rs 8,000. Many players, he says, struggle to balance cricket with livelihood, often taking unpaid leave to represent India.Women world champs still await real changeThe women's team, despite becoming world champions, faces many of the same issues. In November 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 Sri Lanka, Australia, Nepal, USA and Pakistan in the league stage before defeating Australia again in the semi-finals. Yet the victory did not create a stable sporting ecosystem.According to the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), India has nearly 30,000 registered blind men and women cricketers. Teams include B1 players who are totally blind, B2 players who are partially blind and B3 players who are partially sighted.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 nationally and internationally.The recognition brought financial help that allowed her family to clear her father's debt. "In the past, people mocked my parents, saying ‘your daughter is blind, what can she do?'" says the 23-year-old. Deepika scored 246 runs 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 severe financial hardships."Her teammate Simranjeet Kaur, a B2 all-rounder from Kota in Rajasthan, 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, whose father is a farmer.Sporting infrastructure woefully inadequateInfrastructure remains inadequate. The women's circuit is still largely limited to T20 tournaments such as 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 Income Tax 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 Alluri Sitharama Raju district in Andhra Pradesh, says that when there are no tournaments, players often practise at school grounds."We train at the school where a Physical Education teacher guides us," says Karuna, who scored 42 against Nepal in the final. She is appearing for her Class X examinations. Players say stronger institutional support is essential. Players say bringing CABI under the BCCI umbrella could provide regular fees, pensions and better infrastructure. "Currently I practice on a small ground. While there was an announcement that we would have access to BCCI-affiliated stadiums, the process is not yet complete," Kaur says. There is also uncertainty over 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 their hometowns.In February this year, BCCI announced a "structured support" framework for CABI, including travel support for overseas tournaments, accommodation for bilateral series and access to affiliated stadiums. Players describe it as only a first step.Public perception & no institutional backingMen's team coach Mohammad 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.He adds 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. While players have called for greater integration with the BCCI, officials from the CABI maintain that the body will continue to function independently, with ongoing support from the board aimed at strengthening infrastructure and logistics.Seeking recognition beyond sympathy tagPlayers and coaches say they do not want the sport viewed through pity, but through performance. They point to world titles, unbeaten campaigns, centuries, wickets and match-winning knocks as proof that blind cricket has already built a competitive sporting culture. What it lacks is not excellence, but a system that treats that excellence as worthy of sustained investment. From Ajay Kumar Reddy returning home with trophies but no money, to women world champions training on school grounds and waiting for promised support, the message is clear: recognition may have improved, but real change remains distant.