“I would like every Indian to try and put themselves in the players’ shoes and try and understand how much effort the players have put in to reach this far.”
This single line by Chandu Venkateshappa, the coach of India’s World Cup-winning women’s blind cricket team, cuts right to the heart of what India’s blind women’s cricket team has achieved. It asks people to pause, step away from the easy applause, and truly imagine the journey hidden behind a shining trophy.
These players did not just turn up at a World Cup and win; they fought through years of limited opportunities and social doubt simply to stay connected to the sport they loved. When Chandu urges the country to “put themselves in the players’ shoes”, she is asking for empathy that goes beyond a congratulatory tweet or a one-off felicitation ceremony. She is asking for a shift in how the nation values the sacrifice and persistence of women with disabilities who choose sport as their path.
To understand that effort, envision the training block she describes leaving at 6:30 in the morning, grinding through sessions from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., six days a week, for an entire month. It was a group of 16 women, pushing themselves because they knew this World Cup could change a lot of things.
The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), headed by chairman Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, together with Samarthanam, an NGO dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities through education, social support, and livelihood opportunities, has been instrumental in transforming young women from extremely humble backgrounds into world champions. By providing structured coaching, access to tournaments and the confidence that their dreams matter, this partnership has built a pathway where raw talent is identified, nurtured and ultimately showcased on the world stage.
India’s World Cup journey burst into life against Sri Lanka, a match that perfectly captured the fearless mindset Chandu Venkateshappa had instilled in her players. Walking into their opener with the belief that they were the best team in the tournament, India’s bowlers tore through Sri Lanka’s line up, restricting them to just 48, a total that underlined both discipline with the ball and sharpness in the field. The chase that followed was even more emphatic: the women in blue romped to the target inside three overs without losing a single wicket, sending a clear message to the rest of the competition that this was not a feel-good story but a dominant, world-class side. From that moment, the squad carried a sense of invincibility, using the Sri Lanka game as a launchpad for an unbeaten run that never once allowed doubt to creep into their dressing room.
The title clash at the historic P Sara Oval in Colombo began with India winning the toss and choosing to field, a decision that quickly paid off. Nepal’s batters were tied down by disciplined bowling and sharp fielding, and could only reach 114 for 5 in their 20 overs, a total that looked light against India’s powerful lineup. With boundaries kept to a minimum, the target was always within safe range. In reply, India’s top order came out with intent, surging past three figures inside ten overs through smart rotation of strike and ruthless punishment of loose deliveries. The chase was wrapped up in just 12.1 overs for the loss of three wickets, underlining the team’s composure and clear game plan on the biggest stage.
This World Cup win is already nudging people to look at visually impaired athletes through a new lens, even if it won’t transform attitudes overnight. More and more fans are tagging the players on social media, celebrating their success and acknowledging that blind cricketers can perform at the highest level, which is a powerful start. The coach’s hope is that this recognition turns into lasting respect and support, so that when people think of top Indian sportspersons, these women are included in that conversation and seen as proof that disability is no barrier to mastering a sport.
Chandu’s quote is an invitation to every ordinary fan. It’s an appeal for people to watch this team with the same passion reserved for more famous cricketers, follow their matches and talk about their performances at home, in offices, and on social media. When Indians start to do that, the players will feel what every athlete craves, a sense that their struggle and success truly matter to the people they represent. Stepping into their shoes, even for a moment, reveals just how far they have come and how much further they can go if the country walks alongside them.
(Quotes sourced from Akaash Dasgupta’s Interview for FirstPost)
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