Rajasthan Disabled (Differently Abled) Cricket Association to host Physically Disabled Challenger Tournament 2024 in Jaipur

Khel Today Bureau

Jaipur: Rajasthan Disabled Cricket Association (RDCA) in association with Petroleum Sports Promotion Board and State Bank of India will host the prestigious Physically Disabled Challenger Tournament 2024 from 30 November to 3 December at the famous Jaipuria Cricket Academy in Jaipur. Supported by Social Justice and Empowerment Department of Government of Rajasthan, this national level tournament will feature 56 top differently-abled players from across the country, who will fight for a place in the 20-member Indian National Physically Disabled Cricket Team. The selected team will represent India in the much-awaited Four Nations Quadrilateral Series to be held in Sri Lanka from January 14, 2025 which will include teams from India, UK, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The tournament is powered by Adore, Saras and Gayatri Industries with supporting partners Selmore, Roastway Foods, SEPL Infra, Aangann Child Clinic, Hunar Creative Co., Jaipuria Cricket Academy and Devanshi Jewellers.

The tournament is organised by the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) and Physically Challenged Cricket Association of India (PCCAI) .

State Sports and Industries Minister, Govt. Of Rajasthan and Olympic Medallist Rajyawardhan Singh Rathore unveiled the tournaments’s trophy and extended his best wishes to the players and wished for Indian teams best performance and victory in the forthcoming quadrilateral series to be held in Srilanka early next year.

Expressing her excitement, Jyotsna Choudhary, President, Rajasthan Disabled Cricket Association (RDCA) said, “We are thrilled to welcome these exceptional players representing various states to Jaipur. This tournament promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent, determination and sportsmanship. I wish all the participants the very best as they give their all in this highly competitive event.”

DCCI Secretary Ravi Chauhan, while highlighting the significance of the tournament, said, “This tournament is an crucial step in selecting the best talents for the national team. With National Coach Rohit Jhalani, a former Ranji cricketer and captain of the Rajasthan Cricket Team, we are confident of forming a formidable squad to represent India on the global stage.”

On this occasion, Rohit Jhalani, Head Coach of Disabled India Cricket Team said, “This tournament is an opportunity for the 56 differently-abled cricketers identified from across the country to make it to the top 20 in the Indian National Physically Disabled Cricket Team. Through this tournament, we want to instill confidence in all these exceptional cricketers so that they can make their name shine in the society.”

This 4-day cricket tournament will have 6 league matches along with a final match. As a T-20 tournament, these matches will be played between 4 teams – India Seniors, India A, India B and India C where each team will play 3-3 matches. There will be 2 matches played every day and the final match will be held on 3rd December.

RDCA invites cricket lovers, media and general public to witness this inspirational tournament which celebrates the perseverance and excellence of differently-abled cricketers.