In a heartwarming moment that bridged generations of cricket passion, vice-captain Ganga Kadam of India’s triumphant blind women’s cricket team was left stunned when Sachin Tendulkar not only met the world champions but also recognised her standout performance in the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind.
The Deepika TC-led Indian squad had scripted history by clinching the title on November 23, 2025, at Colombo’s P Sara Oval, defeating Nepal, skippered by Binita Pun, by seven wickets in the final after the tournament ran from November 11 to 23 across India and Sri Lanka. Kadam’s emotional recount of the encounter at Mumbai’s MIG Cricket Club underscores Tendulkar’s enduring legacy and the inspirational power of cricket for visually impaired athletes.
The interaction unfolded on Wednesday at the MIG Cricket Club in Bandra, where Tendulkar spent nearly an hour with the history-makers, congratulating them on their groundbreaking victory. For Kadam, a Maharashtra batter whose explosive 41-run knock propelled India to a nine-wicket semi-final thrashing of Australia in Colombo, the surprise came when skipper Deepika TC introduced her.
“Like my other teammates, this was my first meeting with Sachin sir too, but I was shocked to learn that he knew me,” Kadam shared. “When my captain introduced me to him, saying that I’m from Maharashtra and the vice-captain of the Indian team, Sachin sir replied: ‘I know her. She scored 41 runs in the World Cup semi-final against Australia.’ I was just stunned. He recognised me.”
Tendulkar’s keen awareness of the tournament extended beyond mere pleasantries. He delved into their practice routines and shared personal anecdotes, revealing he had once played a match with blind cricketers. “Sachin sir inquired about our practice routine and told us that he had played a match earlier with blind cricketers. ‘Never give up, even if you are not selected for a match or a series, keep playing,’ was his message to us,” Kadam recounted, her words capturing the Master Blaster’s motivational ethos that has inspired millions.
Skipper Deepika TC echoed the awe that gripped the team. “Sachin sir is the God of cricket, but when he came in front of us, most of us were speechless,” she admitted. “He said: ‘I’m lucky to meet all of you. Winning the Blind World Cup is a proud moment for all Indians. Just keep performing like this.’ His sheer presence is inspiring.” Tendulkar sealed the memorable session by signing autographs for every player and pledging his full support to blind cricket moving forward.
This encounter highlights cricket’s inclusive spirit, where barriers of sight fade against shared dreams. For Kadam and her teammates, Tendulkar’s recognition transforms their World Cup glory into an even more cherished milestone, fueling their resolve to keep pushing boundaries.
(Quotes sourced from Mid-Day)
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