In News:

The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, met and felicitated the Indian Women’s Blind Cricket Team after their historic victory in the first-ever Blind Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, where India defeated Nepal in the final.

Key Details:

• The Blind Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 is the first global cricket championship exclusively for women cricketers with visual impairment.
• A landmark initiative promoting inclusivity, representation, and international recognition for blind women athletes.

Organising Body

• Organised by World Blind Cricket Ltd. (WBC)
• Hosted jointly with:
  • Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI)
  • Cricket Association for the Blind in Sri Lanka

Hosts & Venues

• Co-hosts: India and Sri Lanka
• Venues:
  • Delhi (India)
  • Bengaluru (India)
  • Colombo (Sri Lanka)
• Final Venue: P. Sara Oval Stadium, Colombo

Tournament Structure & Format

• Participating Nations (6): India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, USA
• Format:
  • Round-robin league
  • Semi-finals
  • Final

Unique Playing Features (Blind Cricket Rules)

• Player Categories:
  • B1: Totally blind
  • B2 & B3: Partially sighted
  • Mandatory mix of all categories in the playing XI
• Equipment & Rules:
  • White plastic ball with metal bearings to produce sound
  • Underarm bowling along the ground
  • B1 batters use runners
  • Each run scored by a B1 batter is counted double

Results & Indian Team Highlights

• Champion: India (Unbeaten throughout the tournament)
• Final Result: India defeated Nepal by 7 wickets
• Player of the Final: Phula Saren
• Captain of India: Deepika TC (Deepika Gaonkar)