Uncertainty looms over the Indian men’s blind cricket team’s participation in the T20 World Cup hosted by Pakistan as the side is yet to receive a clearance from the Indian government. BCCI and the PCB are already at loggerheads after the former informed that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025. The T20 World Cup for the Blind will take place between November 22 to December 3.
Indian blind team to skip T20 World Cup in question
As per NDTV, the Indian men’s blind team is yet to receive a clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) over their travel to Pakistan for the T20 World Cup. The report adds that the team has already received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. However, they need an official permission from the MEA in order confirm their participation in the tournament.
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India have been the winners of the T20 World Cup for the blind over the last three years. They defeated Pakistan twice and Bangladesh once in the finals to lift the trophy. 17 players have been selected in the Indian blind squad from various states across India, based on their level of visual impairment.
Indian blind team squad for T20 World Cup in Pakistan
B1 Category (Totally Blind): Ajay Kumar Reddy Illuri (Andhra Pradesh), Debaraj Behera (Odisha), Nareshbhai Balubhai Tumda (Gujarat), Nilesh Yadav (Delhi), Sanjay Kumar Shah (Delhi), and Praveen Kumar Sharma (Haryana)
B2 Category (Partially Blind – Vision up to 2 Meters): Venkateswara Rao Dunna (Andhra Pradesh), Pankaj Bhue (Odisha), Lokesha (Karnataka), Rambir Singh (Delhi), and Irfan Diwan (Delhi)
B3 Category (Partially Sighted – Vision up to 6 Meters): Durga Rao Tompaki (Andhra Pradesh), Sunil Ramesh (Karnataka), Sukhram Majhi (Odisha), Ravi Amiti (Andhra Pradesh), Dineshbhai Chamaydabhai Rathva (Gujarat), and Dhinagar Gopu (Pondicherry)