In a triumph that lit up the world of inclusive cricket, the Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind capped off an unbeaten campaign by clinching the inaugural Blind Women’s T20 World Cup in November 2025, hosted across India and Sri Lanka. Led by skipper Deepika TC, India dismantled Nepal by seven wickets in the final at Colombo’s P Sara Oval, restricting the opponents to 114/5 before chasing down the target with just three wickets lost in 12.1 overs to lift the silverware.
This flawless run not only etched their names in history but also earned them a well-deserved spot among the BBC Star Performers of the Year 2025, standing alongside the India senior women’s team’s historic ODI World Cup victory, led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur under the guidance of head coach Amol Muzumdar in November 2025.
The final showcased India’s dominance from the outset. Bowling first, the Indian attack stifled Nepal’s batting lineup, conceding just 114/5 in their 20 overs, a testament to sharp fielding and disciplined lengths on a pitch that offered little assistance. In reply, Deepika TC’s side cruised home emphatically, their openers laying a solid platform before the middle order sealed the deal.
As the only unbeaten team in the tournament, India exemplified resilience and skill, overcoming visual impairments through sheer determination, tactical acumen, and unbreakable team spirit. This victory wasn’t just about runs and wickets; it was a powerful statement on inclusivity in a sport often dominated by the able-bodied.
The global recognition poured in swiftly. The BBC’s Star Performers of the Year 2025 list celebrated the blind women’s team for their inspiring World Cup victory, placing them in elite company with the Harmanpreet Kaur’s India women’s cricket team, para-athletes Ekta Bhyan, Deepthi Jeevanji, and Preethi Pal (for trailblazing at the World Para Athletics Championship), and the India women’s kabaddi team (for their comprehensive World Cup win).
Meanwhile, the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award went to senior women’s team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, with nominations for captain Harmanpreet Kaur, chess champion Divya Deshmukh, shooter Suruchi Singh, and hurdler Jyothi Yarraji, further underscoring India’s banner year for women in sport.
This honour from the BBC amplifies the blind team’s achievement, drawing parallels to other changemakers like the BBC Changemakers of the Year: the Indian women’s ice hockey team (for breaking barriers in a non-traditional sport), former field hockey captain Rajbir Kaur, current national team member Savita Punia, and grassroots contributor Paani Devi. For Deepika TC and her squad, the World Cup win transcends trophies; it’s a beacon for visually impaired athletes worldwide, proving that barriers exist only to be shattered.
As India continues to dominate women’s cricket across formats and abilities, this victory invites reflection: how can mainstream cricket ecosystems better integrate and celebrate para-sports? The blind women’s team’s unbeaten march sets a new benchmark, inspiring the next generation to swing for the stars, sighted or not.
Loves all things female cricket