Indian team
Indian team (Credits: ICC)

While Virat Kohli & Co. have the world at their feet with the way they had played in the last couple of years, they have received a unique challenge to prove their cricket expertise.

John David, Secretary of Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), has Kohli & Co. to play blindfolded against the blind cricket team.

David also said the match should be televised. He also recalled an incident when the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Rohit Sharma struggled to trace the ball when playing blindfolded. David also revealed an episode when the blind team played against the mainstream team.

“Our team got to play a bit against the mainstream Indian team in 2015. Ravi Shastri bowled and commented, ‘If I shut my eyes for a moment, I don’t know where I am.’ It’s not as easy as it appears”, David told India Today.

“(Recently) They played a demo match where the Indian team was blindfold. Ravindra Jadeja was kneeling down and searching for the ball and Rohit mocked giving a tap on the head; you can’t even trace the ball. People will know about the level of difficulty that goes in playing cricket without eyesight,” he added.

In blind cricket, the playing eleven comprises of at least four completely blind players (B1). Three players with vision up to a distance of three meters (B2) and a maximum of four players with vision up to six meters (B3) complete the team.

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The Indian blind cricket team is one of the most successful teams in the history of the game. They recently defeated Pakistan to win their second 50-over World Cup. They have also won both the editions of World T20 in 2012 and 2017. Also, they have also lifted the Asia Cup on two occasions.

Virat Kohli & Co. Challenged to Play Blindfolded Against Blind Cricket Team
India beat Pakistan by two wickets to win the World Cup (Credits: Twitter)

But despite enjoying immense success, the blind team has not got the recognition it deserves. The players in the past had called out for helpand David also echoed the same the same sentiments. 

Recently, batting legend Sachin Tendulkar had urged that BCCI should recognise CABI.

Problems faced by blind team:

Mahantesh, the CABI president, opened up on the ordeals faced by the players. He revealed the BCCI has agreed to come forward and help the blind team.

“Last week we met BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, and he was positive and the COA head Vinod Rai has also noted the progress we have made. We are feeling happy with the progress and in touch to move things forward. Soon the BCCI will announce support and cash rewards. With their support we can take things forward,” he told reporters at the BCCI headquarters.

Mentioning the problems faced by the Blind Cricket Team, Mahantesh mentioned:

“They have a problem of leaves. For example, we were together during the World Cup for 50 days. Many have to manage jobs, family and concentrate on cricket also. There was a partially blind cricketer who played for us in the 2014 World Cup who was a daily labourer – working as a construction worker. He was sitting in a corner and as we inquired told us about problems he had at home. All the players contributed and helped.”

“Now if someone is earning 400 rupees a day, he loses 20000 for giving up daily job and though blind also has to take care of the house. If we come under sports quota, it’s easy to get leaves,” he added.

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