India witnessed a historic sporting milestone on November 23, 2025, as skipper Deepika TC and her spirited squad etched their names in golden letters by clinching the Inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind. The Women in Blue triumphed over Nepal by seven wickets in a commanding finale at Colombo’s iconic P Sara Oval, sealing India’s status as the first-ever champions of this landmark tournament hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka from November 11 to 23.
India were the only unbeaten side in the league stages of the tournament with 5 wins from as many games in the league stages. India arrived in the finale after a resounding nine-wicket victory over Australia, led by Courtney Webeck, in the first semi-final. Nepal joined them following their seven-wicket win against Pakistan, captained by Nimra Rafique, setting up a highly anticipated India–Nepal clash between the two best sides of the tournament.
Electing to field first after winning the toss, Deepika TC’s decision paid off as India’s electrifying fielding again proved decisive. Nepal stumbled early, losing three wickets for 30 within eight overs. Sarita Ghimire and Bimala Rai stitched together a crucial 65-run partnership for the fourth wicket, steering Nepal near the 100-run mark. However, an athletic run-out by Sunita Srathe dismissed Rai for 26, curtailing Nepal’s momentum. Ghimire remained unbeaten on 35 off 38 as Nepal posted a competitive 114/5, aided by 25 extras.
Jamuna Rani Tudu (1/21), Anu Kumari (1/23), and Srathe (0/17) impressed with tight spells that choked the middle overs and kept Nepal’s scoring under control.
In reply, India’s chase had its early jitters. Both openers, Anekha Devi (2) and Deepika TC (6), fell cheaply within the powerplay, leaving the team in a spot of bother. It was then that experience spoke. The seasoned Phula Saren, showing nerves of steel, combined forces with Karuna K for a game-changing 51-run stand for the third wicket. Karuna’s fluent 42 off 27 balls steadied India’s innings before being bowled by Dillisara Dhamala.
Phula Saren, unshaken under pressure, found an able partner in Basanti Hansda (13* off 12) as the pair guided India home with an unbeaten 33-run partnership. Saren’s blistering 44* off 27 balls, laced with four boundaries, earned her the Player of the Match award and sealed India’s seven-wicket win with 47 balls to spare, a symbol of confidence and control from the new world champions.
The victory sparked an outpouring of pride and admiration across India’s cricketing fraternity and beyond. Legendary figures and leaders lauded the achievement as not only a sporting triumph but a symbol of indomitable spirit.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah in his post reflected on the broader significance, “Congratulations to the Indian team for winning the first-ever Blind Women’s T20 World Cup, an event that redefines the limits of ability and inspires differently-abled athletes in India and around the world.”
Deepika TC’s team has not just won a title, they have redefined what representation in Indian cricket means. From Phula Saren’s match-winning composure to the team’s unwavering fielding brilliance, this victory has carried profound emotional resonance. It stands as a reminder that inclusion, when matched with opportunity and vision, builds champions who inspire far beyond the boundary lines.
As the tricolour waved proudly across Colombo, India’s blind women cricketers didn’t just lift a trophy; they illuminated a path for countless others to dream, achieve, and believe beyond sight.
Loves all things female cricket