India win Blind Cricket World Cup, hope for BCCI recognition

Three years ago, MS Dhoni clinched a historic World Cup for India with a memorable six. On Sunday, Prakasha Jayaramaiah did something similar against Pakistan cracking a four, only that the latter could not see the ball cross the rope like the former did in one of the most photographed moments in cricket.

However, what Jayaramaiah did — guide his team to win in the Blind Cricket World Cup final in Cape Town late on Sunday — is not any lesser a feat. It not only gave India it's first-ever victory in the four editions of the Blind World Cup, but also avenged their loss to Pakistan in the final of the last edition held in Islamabad in 2006. And all that they hope for now is to be recognised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

"This victory should open the door for our recognition by BCCI. If it still doesn't, it's a shame," GK Mahantesh, general secretary of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), said on Monday. BCCI officials could not be reached for comments.

Fear before final

Much like the 2011 World Cup final in Mumbai, this finale too was a nail-biting one. Pakistan scored a whopping 389 in 40 overs batting first. The Indians, led by Shekar Naik, matched their neighbours, taking it down to the last over. With four needed off three balls, Jayaramaiah sealed the deal, and the entire Indian contingent broke into a frenzy.

"It was no less than the noise you experience at an international match," Mahantesh said. "I was connected on the phone from there during the last over, and as soon as Prakasha hit that boundary, all the players started shouting and jumping and ran to the ground. I could hear the entire atmosphere on the ground, and it was deafening."

India's blind cricketers are used to winning, having previously bagged the T20 World Cup at home in 2012. But they wanted to lay their hands on the bigger trophy, and according to Mahantesh, the boys left India with the believe that their time had come.

"They were reasonably confident of winning when they left. However, they had a sense of fear and tension before the final against Pakistan. The weight of occasion must have got to them, but they came out with flying colours," he said.

India started the campaign on a losing note, going down to Pakistan. Sri Lanka, Australia, Bangladesh, England and hosts South Africa were the other participating nations. India got the better off the Lankans in the semifinal, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Even Sachin Tendulkar took to Twitter to salute the heroes. "Congratulations to Indian Visually Impaired Cricket team on winning the World Cup. Should inspire the potential world beaters in the country," he tweeted.

Sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal also lauded the boys, saying "India's maiden triumph in the Blind Cricket world cup shows that these players are not only talented but have the ability to be the best in the world."

The blind cricketers are supported by CABI, which promotes and organises cricket for the blind in India. It is a registered non-profit organisation, affiliated to the World Blind Cricket Council. However, it struggles to find support at home. The CABI is hoping to get recognition from the BCCI for quite some time now, but it isn't coming.

The sports ministry funded the team's trip for the World Cup, providing them Rs 25 lakh. According to Mahantesh, such funds are few and far between. "We have to slog it out. We get funds only for such big events, and that too depends on the particular minister's mood and thought-process," he said.

Naik said he hoped the win will change things in terms of recognition and support. "We would do much better if we had that kind of support," the skipper said.
However, for now, the team is just revelling in the sound of victory.

Winners of Blind World Cup
Year Host Winner
1998 India South Africa
2002 India Pakistan
2006 Pakistan Pakistan
2014 South Africa India