The Indian women’s blind cricket team was recently felicitated by the Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, at his residence following their historic victory in the inaugural Blind Twenty20 World Cup.1 The team remained undefeated throughout the tournament, culminating in a decisive seven-wicket victory over Nepal in the final, played in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sunday, November 23, 2025.2 This achievement is particularly significant as it followed closely on the heels of the Indian women’s standard cricket team’s first-ever ICC Cricket World Cup victory on home soil, highlighting a golden era for women’s cricket in the country.
During the felicitation, Dr. Mandaviya extended his congratulations, stating that the team has made the nation immensely proud and serves as a “huge inspiration” for both specially-abled sportspersons and all aspiring athletes. The Minister emphasized that the team’s victory—achieved through sheer willpower and resilience—proves that they have accomplished the “unthinkable.” He assured the players of the continuous support of the entire nation and the government for their future endeavors, urging them to continue striving for glory in upcoming tournaments.
The team captain, Deepika TC, acknowledged the honor, expressing her gratitude for the Sports Minister’s invitation and personal interaction. She noted that Dr. Mandaviya’s words of encouragement were not just a boost for the World Cup-winning team, but would also inspire more women from the blind community to consider taking up sports as a viable career path. She hoped that their success would encourage future generations of women to bring pride to the country through their hard work and determination in sports.
