MEET THE CHAMPION : INDIA WOMEN’S BLIND CRICKET TEAM WON GOLD AT ISBA

The month of August has proven the Victory month for India. 

On the 23rd of August, India became the first nation to perform a smooth mass landing on Lunar’s south pole. 

The entire world celebrated this victory of India. It was Indeed a big win.

And another victorious win was made on August 26th at the ground of Edinburgh. 

The India women’s blind cricket team won the Gold Medal at the ISBA (International Sport Blind Association) World Games after defeating the Australian women's blind team by 9 wickets. 

India shines on and above the earth. 

Are you confused?

Even I was when I read the honourable Prime Minister’s tweet congratulating all the women’s blind teams for conquering the match. 

I then search for this team, far away from the spotlight. 

These women should be seen as an inspiration. 

Despite having severe vision problems, all of them kept their spirit high and made their nation proud. 

Do you agree with me? 

I’m sure, you are! 

So, let’s learn more about this team and the women with indomitable spirit. 

When Is The Women’s Blind Cricket Team Formed? 

This is the first question that came to mind after reading the Prime Minister’s tweet. 

Well, cricket isn’t in my interest, but the news that got special mentioned by the country’s most significant leader certainly grabbed my attention. 

So, I searched for the ‘Women’s Blind Cricket Team’ and got to know about the champions who bagged the historic win. 

During the time of mid-2020, the news of India’s first-ever women's cricket team was announced. 

It happened after receiving an invitation from Blind Cricket England and Wales to tour England in the Summer of 2021. 

In December 2019, a seven-state championship was held and Odisha won the final after defeating Karnataka. 

A historic team of 17 players was shortlisted during April 2023 and sent for a bilateral series starting from 25th April to 30th April. 

The same team created history on 28th August 2023 by winning Gold at IBSA and receiving admiration from all over the world. 

How Do They Play?

The curious mind thought, being visually impaired, how can someone run, catch, and hit a ball through the bat? 

After performing research, I got to know about the game’s rules which have a few modifications.

The team consists of 11 members, where 4 members are entirely blind (Categorised as B1), 3 are partially blind players (categorised as B2), and up to 4 are partially sighted players (categorised as B3). 

• The cricket ball is slightly larger and filled with ball bearings that could provide some sound, and give clues to the batsman. 

• The stumps are made up of steel, slightly larger, and painted in fluorescent colour. 

• The umpire and players use verbal signs usually, and the bowler shouts ‘Play’ with the release of the ball. 

• The ball hitting the stump isn’t considered out for a fully blind player, instead, the second consecutive LPW is marked as OUT. 

Similarly, more rules are included to make these special players play without much hindrance. 

What Is the IBSA World Game and Who Is Eligible To Play? 

IBSA stands for International Blind Sports Association. 

This sports association organizes multisports for blinds and partially sighted sports persons, once every four years.

The event is the largest sports event where more than 1000 competitors from 70 nations participate.

This year, the event took place from 18 to 27 August at the University of Birmingham, across the Edgbaston area and broader region.

Women In Blue Shone At The Pitch

The day of 26th August has been added as a new achievement. 

The women’s blind cricket team has made history by winning the match in their first international event. 

And, the win is extraordinary. 

The women's team defeated the Australian team by 9 wickets. What an achievement! 

Applaud for the entire women's team, and their will to play and win. Kudos!