India beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets; Anurag Thakur declares SBI 1st Women’s T20 World Cup–Cricket for the Blind 2025 open in New Delhi

Rakesh Thapliyal

New Delhi: The first ever Women’s T20 World Cup – Cricket for the Blind 2025 was inaugurated by former Sports Minister of India Shri Anurag Thakur on Tuesday at Modern School Ground, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi, marking a defining moment in the global movement for inclusive and accessible sports.

The event was hosted in the gracious presence of Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, Founder & Managing Trustee of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled and Chairman of Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), and Shri Shailender Yadav, General Secretary of CABI, who expressed gratitude to all guests and partners for their continued support in promoting the cause of visually impaired athletes.

The ceremony commenced with the National Anthem, presented in sign language by specially-abled students from the Delhi branch of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, creating a deeply moving and unifying moment.

The grand inauguration ceremony was graced by Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, Former Minister of State for External Affairs of India and Chairperson of the World Cup Organising Committee; Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, Founder Managing Trustee of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled and Chairman of CABI; Shri Anurag Thakur, five-term Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha – Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh), Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal, Mines and Steel, and Former Cabinet Minister, Government of India, Shri Kartikeya Sharma, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Haryana; and Shri Shailender Yadav, General Secretary of CABI.

Also present were and Shri Debasish Mishra, Chief General Manager, SBI New Delhi Circle, Shri Rana Vikram Anand, Head – Customer Management PAN India Liability, IndusInd Bank; Shri Sameer Mittal, Head of Commercial, Asia Pacific at CSC; Dr. Vijay Datta, Principal, Modern School; Shri Ashok Solomon, Chairman, Chintels Group; His Excellency Philip Green, High Commissioner of Australia to India; Ms. Ekaterina Lazareva, Second Secretary, Embassy of Russia in India; Her Excellency Mahishini Colonne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India; Shri Anubhav Sinha, Group Manager, Brand Strategy and Marketing, HCL Group; Smt. Gauri Bahulkar, Senior Director, Global Corporate Social Responsibility, NTT DATA Services; Shri Jackky Bhagnani, actor, producer, and entrepreneur, co-owner of Pooja Entertainment and founder of Jjust Music; Shri Amar Krishna, Vice President, Operations, eClinicalWorks India Pvt. Ltd.; Shri Shyam Sunder Sharma, Director, Delhi & District Cricket Association; Smt. Mudita Lall, Country Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility (India), Adobe; Smt. Sonee Ahluwalia, Regional Manager (Corporate Communications), LIC of India, Zonal Office, New Delhi.

Speaking at the inauguration, Shri Anurag Thakur said, “I wish all the teams the best of luck for the World Cup. You may give your best and perform well. We are going to watch you on television. I announce the SBI 1st Women’s T20 World Cup – Cricket for the Blind open. Congratulations, thank you, and Jai Hind.”

Post the inauguration, India locked horns with Sri Lanka and began the World Cup on a winning note.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Sri Lanka were restricted to just 41 runs in 13.3 overs, as India’s bowlers and fielders delivered a spectacular performance.

India’s sharp fielding led to seven run-outs, while Deepika TC, Ganga Kadam, and Jamuna Rani Tudu claimed a wicket each.

In reply, India chased down the modest target in emphatic fashion, reaching 43 without loss in just 3 overs. Skipper Deepika TC led from the front, smashing 26 runs off 14 balls with four boundaries, while Anekha Devi supported brilliantly with 15 runs off six balls, including three fours.

For her all-round performance and composed bowling, Ganga Kadam was adjudged the Player of the Match. They will next face Australia on Wednesday at 1:00 PM, while Sri Lanka will take on Nepal earlier in the day at 9:00 AM.

Watch all the Matches live in DD Sports and CABI YouTube Channel