Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the Indian women’s blind cricket team at the Lok Kalyan Marg residence in New Delhi, congratulating them on their unbeaten campaign and their title win in the first-ever Blind Women’s T20 World Cup.
The meeting celebrated not only their seven-wicket victory over Nepal in the final but also the consistency and precision they displayed throughout the tournament. PM Modi described their triumph as a shining example of determination, teamwork and purposeful effort, emphasising that such qualities always lead to meaningful reward.
During the interaction, he offered sweets to every player and member of the coaching staff, marking the achievement with warmth and appreciation. He began his address to the players by acknowledging the universal value of persistence. Introducing his first remark, he reflected on the life lessons that sport continually reinforces.
“Those who work hard, their hard work never goes in vain, not only in sports, but also in life.” He followed this by focusing on the confidence that comes from personal achievement, speaking to the players’ successful journey through the tournament. “You have worked hard. You have made your mark. You must have gained a lot of confidence because of that.”
PM Modi then shifted to a more personal encouragement, drawing a contrast between the players’ earlier lives and the stature they hold today. Before his next statement, he observed how transformative such achievements can be. “Earlier, if you wanted to talk to a teacher in your village, you would have thought whether to talk or not, but today, you are talking to the Prime Minister.”
To commemorate the meeting, the team presented the Prime Minister with an autographed bat, which he accepted with gratitude. He then signed a cricket ball for the group, turning the exchange into a symbolic moment of mutual respect. Indian captain Deepika TC later described a surprising personal conversation with him.
She recalled that she went up to request a photograph, and before she expected it, he recognised a talent of hers unrelated to cricket. Introducing her reflection, she described her astonishment. “I went to take a picture with Modi sir. He asked me if I could sing. Suddenly, he asked me, and I don’t know how he knew about this, and I was shocked.”
Vice-captain Ganga Kadam added an emotional dimension to the occasion as she remembered her late father, who had always believed in her potential and admired the Prime Minister. Speaking with a mix of pride and sadness, she expressed how much he would have cherished this moment. Before her quote, she recalled his dreams for her.
“My father had a big dream. He used to like him (PM Modi) a lot. But my father is no more. But I am thinking that if my father had seen me now, he would have been thrilled,” she said.
On the field, India’s performance in the final underscored the confidence with which they had approached the entire tournament. After choosing to field first, they restricted Nepal to 114/5 in 20 overs. When it was their turn to chase the 115-run target, the Indian batters showed exceptional control and urgency. They reached 100 runs within the first 10 overs, removing any pressure from the pursuit and crossing the finish line in the 13th over.
Phula Saren led the charge with a fluent 44* off 27 balls, striking four boundaries, while Karuna K added a forceful 27-ball 42 to carry the team home. Saren’s impact in the match earned her the Player of the Match award, further highlighting her pivotal role in India’s title campaign.
India’s progression to the final had been equally dominant. They began with a confident win over Sri Lanka and followed it with a commanding 57-run victory over Australia. Their match against Pakistan showcased their aggressive chasing ability, as they overhauled a 136-run target in 10.2 overs. In the semi-final, they defeated Australia by nine wickets, setting up a one-sided final in which they completed their unbeaten march to the trophy.
The World Cup title not only established the team as the strongest side in the competition but also marked a milestone moment for blind women’s cricket in India, reflecting the belief, resilience and ambition with which every member of the squad has shaped their journey.
(Quotes sourced from ANI)
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