Indian Men’s Blind Cricket Team receives a grand send-off ahead of Asia Cup 2026 in Bangladesh

Rakesh Thapliyal 

New Delhi, 12 November 2026: The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) the cricketing arm of Samarthanam Trust with the support of CBRE South Asia Pvt. Ltd., hosted a send-off and press interaction in new Delhi for the Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind ahead of the Asia Cup 2026.The Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind is all set to compete in the Asia Cup Cricket for the Blind 2026, scheduled from 15 to 20 November 2026 at Anvir Cricket Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The Indian team will aim to reclaim the Asia Cup title it won a decade ago, competing against some of Asia’s leading blind cricket teams.

CBRE, through its corporate social responsibility initiative, Ek Pehal, in partnership with the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, has been supporting the Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind in its preparations for the Asia cup tournament. CBRE’s support includes player selection, professional coaching, nutrition, fitness, physiotherapy, travel arrangements and essential cricket equipment, helping players prepare for the competition.

The event brought together the Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind, Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, Founder and Managing Trustee, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, and Chairman, CABI, Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO, India, South-East Asia & MENA, CBRE and Chetan  Sharma Former Indian Cricketer and Sr. Selection Committee, BCCI and Shailender Yadav, General Secretary CABI. The occasion marked the team’s departure for Dhaka as defending champions, returning to compete for the Asia Cup title a decade after their last victory. Anshuman Magazine and Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar handed over cricket kits to the team, recognising the players’ commitment ahead of the tournament.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also extended its support to the Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind by sponsoring round-trip flight tickets from New Delhi to Dhaka, Bangladesh, for the Asia Cup Cricket for the Blind 2026. This support is in line with BCCI’s earlier commitment to assist the team with its international travel arrangements.

At the event, Anshuman Magazine spoke about CBRE’s continued partnership with Samarthanam and CABI, while Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar addressed the team’s preparations and the growth of blind cricket in India. Captain Durga Rao Tompaki shared insights into the team’s training, readiness and expectations for the tournament.

Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO, India, South-East Asia & MENA, CBRE, said, “Sport has the power to create opportunities, challenge perceptions and bring communities together. Through

Ek Pehal and our partnership with Samarthanam and CABI, CBRE is committed to supporting India’s men’s and women’s blind cricket teams at every stage of their preparation. Our support covers player selection, nutrition, travel, professional training, health and physiotherapy and essential kits.

We believe that giving athletes the right resources and support is essential to helping them perform at the highest level and earn the recognition they deserve. We are proud to back the team as they head to the Asia Cup 2026.

Schedule: 

15 November India vs Sri Lanka

1:30 PM

17 November India vs Pakistan

1:30 PM

19 November Bangladesh vs India 9:30 AM

20 November Final

11:30 AM

Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind – Asia Cup 2026 Squad

1 Naresh Tumda B1 Gujarat, 2 Sanjay Kumar Shah B1 Delhi, 3 Debaraj Behera B1 Odisha, 4 Ashok Reddy B1 Andhra Pradesh, 5 Praveen Kumar Sharma B1 Haryana, 6 Mukesh Kumar Rawat B1 Delhi, 7 Dunna Venkateshwararao B2 Andhra Pradesh, 8 Rambir Singh B2 Delhi, 9 Lokesha B2 Karnataka, 10 Manish Kumar B2 Delhi, 11 Nakula Badanayak B2 Odisha, 12 Durga Rao Tompaki (C ) B3 Andhra Pradesh, 13 Sunil Ramesh ( VC )B3 Karnataka, 14 Sukhram Majhi B3 Odisha, 15 A Ravi ( WK )B3 Andhra Pradesh, 16 Dinesh Rathva B3 Gujarat, 17 Deepak B3 Haryana.