We don’t want congratulatory tweets but support, says Indian blind cricket team

The Blind World Cup-winning Indian cricket team is back in India after an outstanding performance at the recently concluded World Cup. India played like champions throughout the event, not losing a single match.

Captained by Ajay Reddy, India defeated Pakistan by two wickets in the final to win the title. This has helped maintain their glorious run in Blind Cricket tournaments.

India has won the 2012, 2017 Twenty20 World Cups & the 2014, 2018 World Cups

In all these victories, Pakistan was the common factor. In the final match, Sunil Ramesh was the
Man-of-the-Match for his brilliant 93.

Despite the success, the team longs for recognition. The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) is not affiliated to the main cricket board and the government offers token support. Even a practice ground is hard to get.

Marked difference in treatment given to blind cricketers in Pakistan

On the other hand, Pakistan gets support from the Pakistan Cricket Board. There is a budget for them and after they won the 2002 World Cup, the team got official recognition. Pakistan blind cricket players also get regular salaries, government jobs and special rewards while playing.

Indian blind cricket players say they don’t want congratulatory tweets from Sachin Tendulkar or PM Narendra Modi. Instead they want support.

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