India Won First Blind Womens T20 World Cup 2025

India Won First Blind Womens T20 World Cup 2025

Why in News?

India recently created history by winning the first-ever Blind Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, showcasing exceptional skill and determination on the global stage. The Indian women’s team defeated Nepal by seven wickets in the final held in Sri Lanka.

Highlights of the Blind Women’s T20 World Cup 2025

• Venue: The tournament took place in India and Sri Lanka from 11 November to 25 November 2025. The final was held at P. Saravanamuttu Stadium (P. Sara Oval), Colombo on 23 November 2025.

• Participation: 6 national teams entered the competition. The competing teams were India, Nepal, Pakistan, Australia, Sri Lanka and the United States of America.

• Winner: India won the inaugural title. The Indian women’s team showed dominance in both batting and bowling across the event.

• Runner-Up: Nepal finished as the runner up after losing to India in the final.

• Final Match: India won the final after bowling first and restricting Nepal to 114 for 5. India scored 117 for 3 in 12.1 overs. Phula Saren scored an unbeaten 44 off 27 balls to guide the run chase.

• Indian Women Participants: India announced a 16-member squad for the tournament on 11 September 2025. The squad combined players from the B1, B2 and B3 visual category groups. The squad list included Deepika T C (captain) and Ganga S Kadam (vice-captain), Simu Das, P. Karuna Kumari, Anu Kumari, Jamuna Rani Tudu, Kavya V, Anekha Devi, Basanti Hansdah, Simranjeet Kour, Sunita Sarathe, Parbati Marndi, Deepika T C, Ganga S Kadam, Phula Soren, Kavya N R, Sushma Patel and Durga Yevle. 

What is Blind Women’s T20 World Cup?

• About: The Blind Women’s T20 World Cup is the first major global tournament for women’s blind cricket. The inaugural edition was held in 2025. It is a Twenty20 format event, it gives visually impaired women a platform for international cricket competition. 

• Organisation: The event is organised by the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI). CABI works under the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, a non-profit organisation that supports many disabled people across India. CABI is not part of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

• Format: The format is T20, where each match allows each team to bat for 20 overs. The first edition in 2025 used a round-robin league system followed by knockout matches (semi-finals and a final). In blind cricket, teams follow special rules. At least four players per side must be totally blind (B1 category). Players in other categories (B2, B3) can also play. Each side fields 11 players, like in regular cricket. The game uses a white plastic ball that has ball bearings inside. 

Significance of the Win

• Milestone for Blind Cricket: India’s victory proved that women with visual impairment can compete at the highest level. The win created a new space for blind women in global cricket and strengthened the foundation for future international tournaments.
• Boost to Disability Sports: The title showed the strength of India’s disability sports system. The performance highlighted the impact of training, support programs and community initiatives that promote sports for visually impaired athletes.
• Inspiration for Other Girls: The win inspired many young girls with visual impairment to dream bigger. The players became role models who showed that disability does not limit ambition. The achievement can increase participation in blind cricket in schools and training centres.
• Social Empowerment: The championship elevated conversations about inclusivity and equal opportunity in sports. The victory showed how accessible sports can empower women, improve social perception and push policymakers to invest more in para sports.

Institutional Framework & Schemes for Para Sports in India

• Ministry: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports sets policy for sport in India. The Ministry manages national programmes and recognition for national federations. The Ministry maintains the online portal for grants in aid and sports awards.

• • • The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) governs para sport at the national level. PCI selects athletes for the Paralympic Games and international events. PCI registers athletes and coordinates classification for visual and physical impairments. It is authorised as the national sports federation for para sport.
    • The Sports Authority of India (SAI) runs training centres and provides coaching infrastructure. SAI offers specialised support for para disciplines at select centres. SAI works under the Ministry to implement Khelo India and Para Khelo initiatives. 
  • Khelo India: The Khelo India programme promotes sport at the grassroots and supports inclusive sport. The scheme includes creation and upgradation of infrastructure. The scheme lists promotion of inclusiveness as a core component for 2021–22 to 2025–26. The scheme funds youth games and talent scholarships. 

• Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS): The Target Olympic Podium Scheme funds elite athletes. The scheme expanded to include para athletes in recent years. It gives customised training plans and financial support and provides overseas exposure and foreign coaches for selected para athletes.

• ADIP: The ADIP scheme assists persons with disabilities to buy aids and appliances. The scheme has run since 1981. The scheme helps para athletes access prosthetics and mobility aids. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities administers the scheme. 

• Accessible India Campaign: The Accessible India Campaign aims to make public spaces barrier free. The campaign started on 3 December 2015 under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. The campaign improves stadium access, transport and built environment for athletes with disability.