By Ankit Pattnaik
On January 7 this year, a 17-member Indian cricket team was given a warm send-off for a four-nation Champion Trophy tournament in Sri Lanka. The team has already walked the talk on the send-off theme #AbJunoonJeetega.
The Men in Blue – in this case, a talented crop of physically challenged players, defeated arch-rivals Pakistan twice; England, and hosts Sri Lanka once each so far, securing a berth in Tuesday’s final when they will again meet England, showcasing the fact that India’s physically disabled (PD) team is coming of age.
According to a National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) conducted during 2019-21, 4.52% of India’s population, or roughly 63.28 million people, suffers from physical disabilities. Among them, thousands aspire to play cricket defeating all the odds in their lives.
Their dreams received a shot in the arm in 2021, when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) formed an apex council to recognise the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) to promote cricket among the physically-challenged, deaf, blind and wheelchair participants.
“Yes, we have formally set up a committee that will look after cricket for the physically challenged. It is now a sub-committee of the BCCI. So, the Indian disability team will now play under the aegis of BCCI,” a BCCI official had told news agengy PTI after the DCCI was formed.
The BCCI has played a key role in promoting this form of cricket, helping earn recognistion for the ‘divyang’ (disabled) version globally. This has led to an increased support from accessibility organisations like Svayam, which has been supporting DCCI since its inception.
Svayam, a Delhi-based non-profit organisation founded in 2000 by Sminu Jindal, works towards reshaping stereotypes about individuals with reduced mobility. It operates as an initiative of the Sminu Jindal Charitable Trust.
“Our partnership with DCCI is a step towards ensuring that every athlete, irrespective of reduced mobility, finds an equal platform to shine. By supporting the Indian physically disabled (PD) team, we aim to encourage participation, remove obstacles, and inspire many more to pursue their dreams. These players are an example of resilience and passion, and their success is a celebration of inclusion in sports,” Jindal told FE.
Ravikant Chauhan, Secretary of DCCI stressed the importance of financial and professional benefits for the players. “For instance, Svayam awards Rs 10,000 to the ‘player of the match’ in national tournaments which gives them financial assistance. Ultimately, we want our players to secure jobs through cricket, and it is essential for them to focus on international matches,” he told FE.
Speaking at the send-off ceremony, DDCA president Rohan Jaitley said, “Each athlete has worked very hard to secure a berth in the team, and therefore, I urge them to enjoy the journey,” Highlighting the need for accessibility and inclusivity in sports, Jindal said, “It’s an immense pride to witness these exceptional athletes representing India on the global stage. Partnering with DCCI for the PD Champions Trophy 2025 is a testament to our commitment towards accessibility in sports.”